Doha: Qatar is fast becoming a hub for global travel and tourism which received a turbo boost from the FIFA World Cup and the recent rating as one of the top ten safest tourist destinations in the world for travel.

Foreign visitors at souvenir shops, restaurants and malls at Souq Waqif shared the same sentiments about the country as one of the best, safest and loveliest places to visit.

“We are having a great tine enjoying the lovely atmosphere in the country,” Bill and Patricia Woods, a couple from Texas chilling out at a restaurant during sunset said.

A recent survey by a UK security firm ranked Doha among the top ten safest places for global tourism.

“Qatar is a fine place to both live and work,” said Marco and Laura from Italy at a gift shop at Souq Waqif.

The start of the year saw 340,000 international visitors in January 2023, a 295 percent year on year increase and 389,000 visitors in February 2023, a staggering 406 percent increase from the same period last year. The month of February marked the highest number of international arrivals to Qatar in the past 10 years, with the exception of the months of the FIFA World Cup 2022, making it the busiest month for tourism in the country. Having firmly established itself as a leading tourism destination with its high safety record, seamless public transport, pristine beaches and cultural sites, the travel and tourism sector in Qatar has been gearing up to welcome more visitors state this year.

The leisure sector in the recent weeks has been focusing on the holy month with culinary specialities to delight visitors for Iftar and Suhoor. Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel has come up with authentic Ramadan flavours from oriental Arabic selections to international tastes for Iftar and a wide selection of traditional Ramadan specials accompanied by live music for Suhoor.

Marquis City Center Doha and Marriott Executive Apartments City Center Doha, General Manager Cyril Mouawad said the hotels work closely with Qatar tourism authority, Qatar Airways and other stake holders to ensure all feeder markets to Qatar are covered through strong sales and marketing efforts. Marketing the destination is equally important as marketing our hotels.

“We do not miss an opportunity to attend an international trade show or a travel event which are relevant to us. Our commercial team works closely with Marriott’s global sales network to drive demand and we have strong digital marketing efforts in place to ensure visibility and conversion,” Mouawad said.

There are lot of opportunities opened up to attract visitors, through land, air and water and we are well poised to take our share from all segments.

We have a combined portfolio of over 800 rooms and apartments, 12 dining venues, extensive conference and catering facilities, Spa, gym and various leisure amenities. We are ready to accommodate any requirement for today’s traveller and look forward for a successful 2023.

In-Q Enterprises WLL, General Manager Phil Lawrie said the World Cup was an extraordinary period with an unprecedented influx of visitors. Tourism has undoubtedly benefited from a ripple effect resulting from the World Cup – we have witnessed more museum visits from stopover tourists and evidenced strong footfall from cruise ship calls since January.

It will however be necessary for all stakeholders to work together to leverage attractions and national tourist assets to grow inbound visits.

A good example of this was the recent kite festival at MIA Park which proved a resounding success with over 60,000 visitors enjoying the spectacle over three days.

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