Latest news with #AlMawlawi
Gulf Insider
08-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Qatar Bets On Sports To Hit 2030 Tourism Goal Ahead Of Schedule
Qatar spent billions of dollars preparing for the 2022 World Cup, betting that the global spotlight would spark a lasting tourism boom. Three years on, that gamble appears to be paying off. International tourist arrivals surged to 5.1 million last year, up 25 per cent from 2023. Nearly 2 million people have visited Qatar so far this year, fueling optimism among tourism officials that the gas-rich nation could surpass its targets ahead of schedule. 'Our target for 2030 was 6 to 7 million visitors, but I think we will achieve this number sooner,' said Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, chief executive officer of Visit Qatar, in an interview in Dubai last week. To help edge up numbers, the country aims to position itself as the 'capital of sports,' he said. Over the next few months, Qatar is set to hold events including the the biggest-ever edition of the Fifa U-17 World Cup, the 2025 Fifa Arab Cup, and the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Lusail International Circuit. 'We'll be announcing a very big event for late November in Doha,' Al Mawlawi said, declining to give further details other than that it would be a global one. The rise in visitor numbers could also help the Gulf nation reach its goal of having tourism contribute about 12% to gross domestic product '- potentially ahead of the 2030 target, he said. Get the Mideast Money newsletter, a weekly look at the intersection of wealth and power in the region. While major sporting events have attracted thousands of fans, Qatar is aiming to position itself as a year-round destination by appealing to families seeking affordable luxury. 'It's very safe, very clean, with high-quality hotels and fine dining at reasonable prices,' Al Mawlawi said. Qatar is also expanding its hotel and resort offerings, with a focus on conference and events infrastructure. Doha currently has around 40,000 hotel rooms, with more in development. Still, the country faces stiff competition in the region. Dubai remains the Middle East's dominant tourism hub, while Abu Dhabi has committed $10 billion to expanding its cultural and hospitality footprint. Saudi Arabia aims to draw 70 million foreign visitors annually by 2030, up from about 30 million in 2024. Rather than compete directly, Qatar is promoting multi-stop itineraries, partnering with neighbors including Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi to create joint campaigns. 'We're complementing each other,' Al Mawlawi said. Gulf Cooperation Council nationals made up 41 per cent of arrivals last year, with Saudi Arabia as the top individual source market. Key international sources include the UK, US, China, India and Germany. Qatar has opened tourism offices in 13 countries to broaden its outreach. However, the growth in Chinese and Indian demand has been hurt by limited air connectivity. 'Flights from India to Qatar and China to Qatar are almost at the capacity,' Al Mawlawi said. 'So, we are trying hard to increase the capacity, to increase the landing slots in those countries.'
Vancouver Sun
07-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Qatar positions itself as 'capital of sports' to hit 2030 tourism goal ahead of schedule
Qatar spent billions of dollars preparing for the 2022 World Cup, betting that the global spotlight would spark a lasting tourism boom. Three years on, that gamble appears to be paying off. International tourist arrivals surged to 5.1 million last year, up 25% from 2023. Nearly 2 million people have visited Qatar so far this year, fueling optimism among tourism officials that the gas-rich nation could surpass its targets ahead of schedule. 'Our target for 2030 was 6 to 7 million visitors, but I think we will achieve this number sooner,' said Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, chief executive officer of Visit Qatar, in an interview in Dubai last week. To help edge up numbers, the country aims to position itself as the 'capital of sports,' he said. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Over the next few months, Qatar is set to hold events including the the biggest-ever edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup, and the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Lusail International Circuit. 'We'll be announcing a very big event for late November in Doha,' Al Mawlawi said, declining to give further details other than that it would be a global one. The rise in visitor numbers could also help the Gulf nation reach its goal of having tourism contribute about 12% to gross domestic product — potentially ahead of the 2030 target, he said. While major sporting events have attracted thousands of fans, Qatar is aiming to position itself as a year-round destination by appealing to families seeking affordable luxury. 'It's very safe, very clean, with high-quality hotels and fine dining at reasonable prices,' Al Mawlawi said. Qatar is also expanding its hotel and resort offerings, with a focus on conference and events infrastructure. Doha currently has around 40,000 hotel rooms, with more in development. Still, the country faces stiff competition in the region. Dubai remains the Middle East's dominant tourism hub, while Abu Dhabi has committed $10 billion to expanding its cultural and hospitality footprint. Saudi Arabia aims to draw 70 million foreign visitors annually by 2030, up from about 30 million in 2024. Rather than compete directly, Qatar is promoting multi-stop itineraries, partnering with neighbors including Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi to create joint campaigns. 'We're complementing each other,' Al Mawlawi said. Gulf Cooperation Council nationals made up 41% of arrivals last year, with Saudi Arabia as the top individual source market. Key international sources include the UK, US, China, India and Germany. Qatar has opened tourism offices in 13 countries to broaden its outreach. However, the growth in Chinese and Indian demand has been hurt by limited air connectivity. 'Flights from India to Qatar and China to Qatar are almost at the capacity,' Al Mawlawi said. 'So, we are trying hard to increase the capacity, to increase the landing slots in those countries.'
Zawya
18-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Visit Qatar CEO joins Qatari Russian Business Forum in Moscow to strengthen tourism and investment ties
In conjunction with the official visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the Russian Federation, Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, participated in a high-level panel discussion at the Qatari Russian Business Forum, held on April 17th, 2025, in Moscow under the theme "Cooperation in healthcare, tourism, and urban infrastructure to support national development priorities." The session, moderated by Karina Hassan, Journalist, TV-Presenter and Co-founder of K&K Productions, featured a distinguished panel comprising H.E. Eng. Khalid Ahmed Al-Obaidli, Chairman of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarart); Mr. Dmitry Morozov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BIOCAD JSC; and Mr. Sergei Cheremin, Minister of the Government of Moscow and Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow. The discussion explored investment prospects across tourism, urban infrastructure, and medical technology sectors, with a particular focus on regulatory frameworks and public-private partnership models. During his remarks, Eng. Al Mawlawi underscored the potential for enhanced tourism collaboration between Qatar and Russia, noting that expanding tourism offerings tailored to visitor interests, improving air connectivity between Doha and major Russian cities, and streamlining visa processes are key enablers in increasing tourist flows from Russia to Qatar. He further outlined Visit Qatar's ongoing efforts to promote the country as a destination of choice, including targeted digital marketing campaigns, strategic engagements at international travel exhibitions, and partnerships with leading tour operators and travel platforms in the Russian market. Al Mawlawi also reaffirmed Visit Qatar's commitment to developing a seamless and enriching tourism experience, built upon the nation's cultural depth, world-class infrastructure, and a year-round calendar of diverse events. Visit Qatar's participation in the forum reinforces the role of tourism as a core pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030 and highlights the importance of international cooperation in advancing sustainable development and fostering economic and investment partnerships between Qatar and the Russian Federation. About Visit Qatar Visit Qatar is the main arm of Qatar Tourism. Visit Qatar's mission is to promote and expand tourism in Qatar by cultivating its rich culture, developing thrilling attractions, enhancing Qatar's calendar, becoming the leading MICE destination in the region, diversifying events and luxury experiences. Visit Qatar is rooted in Service Excellence, boosting the entire tourism value chain, and increasing local and international visitor demand in Qatar. Through Visit Qatar's network of international offices in priority markets, cutting-edge digital platforms, and marketing campaigns, Visit Qatar is expanding Qatar's presence globally and enhancing the tourism sector.
