Qatar News & Insights | Gulf Insider

1 year ago

Qatar Welcomed Over 1.5m Tourists in Q1 as GCC and Europe Lead Visitors

Qatar’s tourism sector began 2025 with strong momentum, welcoming more than 1.5m international visitors between January and March. Visitors from GCC countries accounted for (36 per cent), followed by Europe (28 per cent) and Asia and Oceania (20 per cent), reinforcing Qatar’s growing appeal across varied markets. Visitor arrivals by air (51 per cent), land (34 per cent) and sea (15 per cent) highlight the effectiveness of Qatar’s diversified access strategy. Qatar tourism 2025 Notably, Eid Al Fitr 2025 delivered the highest holiday arrival figures in three years, with 214,000 visitors during the eight-day period, a 26 per cent increase over 2024. GCC visitors accounted for 49 per cent of the total, marking an 18 per cent year-on-year increase, and hotel occupancy reached 77 per cent, up 10 per cent from the same period last year. Strong performance across the hospitality sector accompanied this growth. 71 per cent average hotel occupancy and 2.6m room nights sold reflected heightened demand fuelled by key events including Web Summit Qatar, the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE), and the Qatar International Food Festival. Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chair of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar, said: “The achievements […]

1 year ago

Omar Farooq’s ‘Ana Laha’ Wins GCC Award From Qatar Foundation’s Akhlaquna Initiative

Bahraini content creator Omar Farooq received the Akhlaquna Award for individual contributions from GCC countries, presented by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, for his social awareness programme “Ana Laha” (I am up for it). The programme has reached over 800 million views across two seasons and gained wide popularity in the Arab world. Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, presented the awards during a ceremony at Education City celebrating the moral values represented by the winners. The event also honoured 14 winners of the Akhlaquna Award for their inspiring and impactful community initiatives in Qatar and the GCC. Omar Farooq highlighted that the award is not just a personal achievement but a tribute to everyone in Bahrain who took part in the Ana Laha initiative and contributed to its success through their genuine, instinctive responses to the situations presented in the programme. He described the initiative as a real-life experience that reflected the strong moral and human values of Arab communities, proving that these principles are not mere slogans but deeply rooted values that show goodness remains present in society. Farooq emphasised the urgent need to revive ethical values […]

1 year ago

Qatar and Abu Dhabi Launch Twin-city Travel Packages to Boost Gulf Tourism

Qatar Tourism and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) have unveiled a strategic partnership designed to strengthen regional tourism ties through a new twin-centre holiday offering. The initiative enables travellers to seamlessly combine Doha and Abu Dhabi into a single, multi-city itinerary, making it easier than ever to explore both destinations in one trip. The twin-city package, drawn up by Qatar Airways Holidays and Etihad Holidays, operated by Capital Holidays, part of the ADNEC Group, will jointly curate customised travel packages. Each will draw from a selection of hotels and experiences to design integrated itineraries that capture the essence of both destinations. The packages will be promoted to tour operators across key markets in Europe and North America, Qatar Tourism said in a media release. The initiative underscores a shared vision to broaden the region’s tourism offerings, tap into new source markets, and position the Gulf as a cohesive, world-class travel destination. By streamlining travel between Qatar and the UAE, the twin-centre packages provide visitors with a richer array of cultural, leisure, and hospitality experiences. This collaboration not only enhances international visibility for both Qatar and Abu Dhabi but also stimulates cross-border tourism and economic growth. Also read: […]

1 year ago

Riyadh Air to Launch Passenger Flights by 2025 End, Aims to Rival Emirates, Qatar Airways

Riyadh Air is all set to begin commercial passenger flights by the end of 2025, CEO Tony Douglas said, as he shared details on the airline’s ambition to surpass regional giants by combining scale with innovation. The airline, introduced in 2023 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, willconnect Saudi Arabia’s capital to 100 cities by the end of the decade as a key part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. It aims to position Riyadh as a global hub, complementing Jeddah-based as part of a dual-flag carrier strategy, Douglas told Al Arabiya News in an exclusive interview on GNT presented by Tom Burges Watson. “This is one of those really important moments in the evolution of aviation within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Douglas said, adding that Riyadh Air aims to become a world class airline. “In short, the Kingdom’s Emirates, the Kingdom’s Qatar Airways, but bigger and better,” he said. Fleet and expansion Riyadh Air’s initial fleet includes 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 60 Airbus A320neo and a third wide-body aircraft is to be announced by summer 2025. The aircraft production is underway, the CEO said, increasing confidence in on-time delivery. Douglas on Monday said that Riyadh Air would be ready to […]

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia, Qatar Clear Syria’s $15mn World Bank Debt: Report

Saudi Arabia and Qatar have settled Syria‘s outstanding arrears to the World Bank Group, amounting to approximately $15 million, officials confirmed Sunday. The payment comes as part of broader efforts to revitalise the Syrian economy and follows discussions during the Syria Roundtable, held alongside the 2025 Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. This financial intervention will allow the World Bank to resume operations in Syria after a 14-year suspension of activities, marking a significant shift in Syria’s international financial relations. Syria’s World Bank suspension ends as Saudi Arabia, Qatar pay outstanding arrears “The payment will allow the World Bank to resume its support and activities in Syria after a 14-year hiatus. It will also enable Syria to receive new allocations to support urgent sectors, alongside technical assistance aimed at rebuilding institutions, strengthening capacity, and supporting policy development and reform to drive economic growth,” the Saudi Gazette reported. Both Gulf nations have called on international and regional financial institutions to “quickly resume and expand development activities in Syria” and to “unite efforts in supporting the Syrian people’s aspirations for a stable and prosperous future,” the report said. The representatives emphasised that these efforts would contribute to regional stability and […]

1 year ago

Qatar Airways and Philippine Airlines boost Doha to Manila flights

Qatar Airways and Philippine Airlines have launched a strategic partnership to expand service between Doha and Manila, enabling greater connectivity for passengers from the Philippines traveling to Qatar and onwards to other regions of the world. From June 16, Philippine Airlines will offer daily nonstop flights between Manila and Doha. Qatar Airways will codeshare on the seven weekly flights operated by Philippine Airlines in the first phase of this strategic cooperation. Qatar to Philippine flights The daily flights will depart Manila at 6.50pm and arrive in Doha at 11.40pm. This will provide travellers from the Philippines connectivity to more than 170 destinations, spanning Africa, the Americas, Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Eastbound travellers arriving in Doha on Qatar Airways flights can connect smoothly onto Philippine Airlines flights that depart daily from Doha at 1.30am for a convenient afternoon arrival at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 4.15pm. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, said: “We continue to explore opportunities that strengthen our connectivity across the world, and our latest partnership with Philippine Airlines is a testament to this commitment. “This strategic cooperation also aims to deepen the socio-economic ties between the Qatari and Filipino communities. We are proud of […]

1 year ago

Trump to Visit UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar in Three-country Tour From May 13

US President Donald Trump will visit the Middle East next month on a three-country tour, his spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday. It will be his second foreign trip since returning to office, following his planned attendance at the Vatican for Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday. Trump “will travel to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE from May 13 until May 16,” Leavitt told a White House press briefing, without elaborating. Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat held talks in Washington earlier this month to lay the groundwork for a visit by Trump in a reprisal of 2017, when the oil-rich, kingdom was the first destination of his first term in office. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, promised in January to pile $600 billion into US trade and investments. Tuesday’s announcement comes as the White House is pursuing nuclear talks with Iran while threatening military action if they fail to reach a deal. In 2018, Trump withdrew the United States from a landmark nuclear deal signed three years earlier that eased sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear program. Trump earlier on Tuesday said he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and that they were united on issues including trade and Iran. […]

1 year ago

Qatar Airways To Show Off 4-Person Customisable Quad Suites Seating At ATM In Dubai

Qatar Airways will showcase its customisable four-person Qsuite business class suite at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai later this month. Visitors and exhibitors will have the opportunity to experience the latest from the Qatar Airways’ layout from April 28 to May 1. The airline is showing off its business class experiences with the design of Qsuite Next Gen that features fully customisable Quad Suites creating the largest social space in the sky for groups of four and window aisle Companion Suites. Qatar Airways Quad Suites All suites have 4K OLED manoeuvrable in-flight entertainment screens that can be moved to connect the spacious and private suites. From ambient lighting to privacy controls to the “Make My Bed” button for the five-star Qatar Airways turn-down service, ATM visitors are invited to interact with Qsuite Next Gen’s vast range of customisation options. Both the Quad and Companion Suites further boast increased dining space and taller digitally controlled privacy dividers, a testament to the airline’s consideration of passenger comfort in the skies. With this year’s ATM theme, “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”, Qatar Airways will spotlight its continued investment in technology, and customer experience, reinforcing its position as a global aviation leader.

1 year ago

How Dubai, Qatar Aviation Hubs Can Get Creative With Land-Side Developments

Airports have evolved far beyond mere transit hubs. As passenger expectations shift, driven by heightened demands for convenience, unique experiences, and enhanced connectivity, leading airports are reimagining their land-side areas as strategic differentiators. Singapore’s Changi Airport – specifically its pioneering Jewel development – exemplifies the tremendous value airports can unlock by creatively utilizing land-side spaces. Opened in April 2019, Jewel Changi Airport has redefined global standards for airport land-side development. This ambitious $1.25 billion initiative encapsulates Singapore’s aspiration to position Changi as not just a travel gateway but a vibrant urban hub. Occupying a 135,700 square-meter footprint, Jewel seamlessly integrates retail, dining, entertainment, hospitality, and nature – housing approximately 280 retail and dining outlets alongside a 130-room YOTELAIR hotel. At its heart stands the Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall at 40 meters, surrounded by the lush Shiseido Forest Valley, encompassing 2,000 trees and 100,000 shrubs from around the world. In 2019 alone, Jewel drew approximately 50 million visitors – a figure highlighting the profound appeal and strategic significance of thoughtfully planned airport land-side areas. Such innovative use of land enhances passenger experience, increases dwell time, and boosts non-aeronautical revenue streams significantly. Prior to the pandemic, commercial revenue at […]

1 year ago

UAE, Saudi Arabia And Qatar Eye Joint 2035 Rugby World Cup Bid: Report

The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are planning a joint bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2035, according to a report in The Times newspaper. In an interview with the London-based newspaper president of Asia Rugby Qaid Al Dhalai said the Gulf nations are considering a joint bid to create “the most successful event in the history of rugby” in either 2035 or 2039. Although no official bid has been launched, The Times report said the sports governing bodies would consider a multi-country host offering as seen in the football World Cup. UAE, Saudi and Qatar mull joint Rugby World Cup bid Al Dhalai told The Times: “As our leaders in the Gulf believe, nothing is impossible. I foresee this as something that might happen in 2035. “I don’t want to underestimate other bids, and I believe South Africa and other European countries might be interested as well, but if World Rugby worked hard on this with a solid plan it might happen in 2035. “I’m in favour of a multi-city hosting model, not a single host. That’s proven to work in soccer. They have done it since 2002 when Japan and Korea hosted, and are doing it again in Mexico, USA and […]

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Qatar Welcomed Over 1.5m Tourists in Q1 as GCC and Europe Lead Visitors

Omar Farooq’s ‘Ana Laha’ Wins GCC Award From Qatar Foundation’s Akhlaquna Initiative

Qatar and Abu Dhabi Launch Twin-city Travel Packages to Boost Gulf Tourism

Riyadh Air to Launch Passenger Flights by 2025 End, Aims to Rival Emirates, Qatar Airways

Saudi Arabia, Qatar Clear Syria’s $15mn World Bank Debt: Report

Qatar Airways and Philippine Airlines boost Doha to Manila flights

Trump to Visit UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar in Three-country Tour From May 13

Qatar Airways To Show Off 4-Person Customisable Quad Suites Seating At ATM In Dubai

How Dubai, Qatar Aviation Hubs Can Get Creative With Land-Side Developments

UAE, Saudi Arabia And Qatar Eye Joint 2035 Rugby World Cup Bid: Report

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