Doha, Qatar: Qatar has emerged as a top destination for sports and tourism in recent years, thanks to country’s investment for excellence in sports and revamping the infrastructure in the two sectors.

A recent report published by a global accounting firm has highlighted tourism and sports as one of key sectors for Qatar as the country looks to grow and diversify its economy. “Qatar has become a leading destination for sports and tourism, leveraging strategic investments in top-notch sports facilities, like the FIFA World Cup 2022 stadiums and the Lusail International Circuit, and enhancing its tourism sector offering,” said Qatar Economy Watch 2024 report by PwC Middle East.

“This reflects the country’s commitment to using sports and tourism as engines for national branding and economic diversification. The nation’s commitment is evident with significant budget allocation to sports recently,” it said, adding that country’s sports investments globally such as Qatar Sports Investments’ acquisition of Paris Saint Germain (PSG) has expanded its sports influence as well as the club’s value significantly.

“Locally, initiatives like Aspire Academy and Aspetar hospital reflect Qatar’s focus on nurturing domestic sporting talent, contributing to international sporting achievements. Following its mega-event hosting successes, Qatar embarked on a journey to enhance its tourism infrastructure and diversifying attractions, which included the Hayya visa platform, airport expansion, and the development of destination resorts and cultural sites.” These efforts aim at boosting the number of visitors by offering a mix of sports, culture, wellness, and sustainable travel experiences, aligning with national development strategies to broaden its tourism appeal and showcase its heritage.

The report says Qatar’s successful experience of hosting major sports events can be valuable for other countries. “The country has accrued invaluable expertise in the field of sports events operations and execution through its successful hosting of global tournaments, such as the Asian Games 2006 and FIFA World Cup 2022, and the Qatar Grand Prix. This expertise can be transferred to prospective hosts of future tournaments through the creation of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) designed to support countries throughout the entire value chain.” 

“By sharing this expertise and knowledge in event management, Qatar will also catalyse improvements across other sectors, elevating tourism by enriching the visitor experience and broadening the country’s international appeal,” the report said. 

As Qatar continues to enhance its tourism offerings, one area with huge potential is cruise tourism. Since the World Cup, Qatar has emerged as a leading cruise destination in the region with the 2023-2024 cruise season welcoming more than 378,000 visitors aboard 73 cruise ships.

Compared to the previous season, the 2023-2024 season witnessed 38 percent surge in passengers and 33 percent increase in the number of ships docking at the Old Doha Port.