Qatar receives 300,000+ visitors in March, highest-ever in one month
Qatar received 305,014 visitors in March 2016, the largest number of visitors to be welcomed into the country in one month, according to Qatar Tourism Authority's Q1 2016 Tourism Performance Report.
Total visitor arrivals in the first quarter of 2016 (822,626) dropped by 2% in comparison to the same period in 2015, due to a lower number of visitors from non-GCC Arab countries, the Americas, Europe and Asian countries, including Oceania.
However, visits to Qatar by nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries increased by 11%, while visits by nationals from other (non-Arab) African countries increased by 7% in comparison to the same period in 2015.
In addition, the number of international visitors entering Qatar on leisure visit visas (tourist, personal visit, family visit, and transit) has risen by 6 percent in Q1 2016 in comparison to the same period last year.
"Qatar continues to attract a healthy number of leisure visitors, signifying the growing portfolio of tourism offerings, especially for visitors from the GCC who find Qatar a place where they can enjoy new experiences while benefiting from the comfort of shared language and heritage," said Hassan al Ibrahim, Chief Tourism Development Officer.
Within the GCC, Saudi Arabian nationals have contributed to the majority of the growth in arrivals from the region.
Compared to the first quarter of 2015, arrivals of Saudi nationals have increased by 16%, while arrivals of UAE nationals increased by 14%, and arrivals of Bahraini nationals rose by 2%.
Data shows that the number of visits spiked in the period between March 9 and March 18, which coincided with spring holidays in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, occupancy rates in the tourist accommodation sector are aligning more closely with global averages, with an average of 70% for hotels and hotel apartments recorded for the quarter.
This is 14% lower than the average occupancy rate of Q1 2015, which reflects the growth in accommodation supply (11% increase in total room stock since end of March 2015) and the continued maturation of Qatar's tourism industry.
Courtesy: Qatar-tribune.com | Photo Credit: Khurram Shahzad
I lived in Qatar for years and I love coming back to Qatar to visit. Unfortunately when we arrived on March 24th, the airport passport control was dreadfully understaffed (as "sometimes happens" according to the passport control officer I talked to). My daughter and I stood and waited for 2 hours with hundreds of other travelers; there was no other choice. Poor airport management may have made things uncomfortable for us, but it also reflects badly on a country that boasts an "international" airport.
Canrun, Zack is a { others' } time waster .......... he is limited to his daily gossip, what to expect from such lazy load on this planet ........... !
"Helpless" (Neil Young)
There is a town in north Ontario,
With dream comfort memory to spare,
And in my mind
I still need a place to go,
All my changes were there.
Blue, blue windows behind the stars,
Yellow moon on the rise,
Big birds flying across the sky,
Throwing shadows on our eyes.
Leave us
Helpless, helpless, helpless
Baby can you hear me now?
The chains are locked
and tied across the door,
Baby, sing with me somehow.
Blue, blue windows behind the stars,
Yellow moon on the rise,
Big birds flying across the sky,
Throwing shadows on our eyes.
Leave us
Helpless, helpless, helpless.
So, Neil Young wrote that song about you. (Helpless).
I'm from Northern Ontario :)
Zackm and Canadianrunaway - if you guys want to set something up to help the labourers QL WILL support you!
WT: True. But that doesn't mean one should empty the entire shaker into it. That is what causes high blood pressure now isn't it? So when is the support drive happening?
There must be some salt in the soup, or it won't taste!
@zackm Count me in for the support drive! All the negativity is getting making this discussion salty. Maybe some fries to go with that?
240,000 km of coastline. How could he trade that in for 645 km coastline?
Yeah, brit, because the Hudson Bay enlarges!
But that can't be. He sounds more like a city slicker.
zackm: Did you hear about the guy that had a map of Canada tattooed on his ass?
Everytime he sits down , Quebec seperates
Let's all guess: Calgary?
Where in Canada are you from? I came from St, John NB
Lots of No's here. Ha, ha.
I didn't exactly runaway, I still love Canada. But no taxes, no snow, super cheap gas - all arrows pointed to the Middle East for me :)
WT: Please remember that Rome wan't built in a day ....
Canadianrunaway: Don't worry.. i'm sure there's lots to do here in Qatar .. You just have to look for it...
For example, Rizks and I opten go cockle and shell picking along the beach in Wakrah, whilst enjoying the moonlight and the waves lapping at our ankles...
By the way, why did you runaway from Canada ?
Canadianrunaway - since you suggested, you lead with your love for this place. I will gladly join and support you, trying to make this place a better place. (true from my heart)!
@Zackm - set up some sort of drive and I'm sure I can find many to support and help you.
Did you know that the American continent is called the "New World"? No? Then you should go back to school.
Canada, a "first world country"? Where did you read that?
I come from a first world country and there are homeless people, poverty, and people struggling. I am sure whatever countries anyone comes from they will find the same thing. Now does that I mean I hate Canada = Nope, nor I am going to hate Qatar. Travel to the industrial area and bring them food - do something for them, that's what we do back home. Canada is pretty awesome and there is STILL poverty there and in America too. For people who are impassioned about it, they do something. You can likely organize something through QL.
Rome had a functioning drainage system, a water system with pressure, central heating, and implemented laws, and elected representatives 2,000 and more years ago.
Well, obviously you haven't seen anything in Rome then if you dare to compare Doha with it.
Canadianrunaway - have you visited the industrial and other parts of Qatar, you must be MM's friend living in your own little bubble and ignoring what most residents go through here, which is life sacrificed. Have you seen labourer forced to work in + 50 degrees weather and see their faces on the buses, being crammed in labour camps. When you go to your QDC, do you see the slum houses next to it...or are you ignoring it...bcoz you want to get your drink on. Yes, there are good things to see here, but in the expense of your freedom.
Me? I have been all over the world. Including Rome - and yes, I still I enjoy Qatar.
Have you ever been to Rome?
I'm a Qatar fan. There is so much to see here. I am shocked when people say there is nothing to do. We are on the sea, there are flamingos, bat caves, turtles, desert, cosmopolitan areas that are amazing, and luxurious dining scene and an even better back-hole dining scene. I'll never understand how people can be here and not appreciate everything this country has to offer. It's been an adventure for me since day 1.
And just for a comparison, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and the UK each had more than 300 million nights spent in hotels or similar accommodation.
"This is 14% lower than the average occupancy rate of Q1 2015, which reflects the growth in accommodation supply (11% increase in total room stock since end of March 2015) and the continued maturation of Qatar's tourism industry." It "matures" if it loses 14% of its customers? Ha, ha, ha.
MM start living in the real world and not for your idiot fantasy life you live in
It's all negativity @ Zack .......................
Jealousy @ Zack .............
visitors meaning, those who can to visit families and forced to leave bcoz they can't fine jobs here. Yes,,,there is so much tourism here that people are lining up for tours here.
We love Qatar .......... !! .............
Yah Qatar!