Tourism & Sports

The 2016 slump in oil prices led the Qatari government to identify industries with high growth potential in a diversified economy. Tourism was among the sectors prioritised due to the opportunities presented by infrastructure investment and major events such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The sector’s promising performance comes amid the backdrop of a regional blockade led by Saudi Arabia and several other Arab countries. Efforts to diversify source markets – especially important as prior to the blockade tourism in Qatar was dominated by travellers from the GCC – have also led to an increased number of visitors from countries such as India, Russia and China. Altogether, these factors bode well for the future of the tourism sector in Qatar. This chapter contains an interview with Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary-General, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy.