Qatar welcomed 3.5 million visitors between January and September 2025, representing a 2.2% rise compared to the same period last year, according to new data released by Qatar Tourism.

In a statement on Thursday, the tourism authority said that both visitor arrivals and accommodation demand maintained steady growth through the end of the third quarter, as the country gears up for a busy schedule of international events in the final months of 2025 and early 2026.

The report highlighted that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries continued to be Qatar’s largest source of tourists, accounting for 36% of all arrivals. Europe contributed 25% of total visitors, while Asia and Oceania made up 22%. Notably, arrivals from China increased by 37% and from Australia by 31% in the third quarter alone.

Air travel remained the most common entry point, with 60% of visitors arriving by air, 33% entering by land, and 7% by sea — a sign of Qatar’s growing accessibility across multiple travel channels.

The hospitality sector also performed strongly. The total number of hotel and serviced apartment rooms reached 41,733, while the average occupancy rate rose to 68%, an increase of 2.4 percentage points compared with last year. Room nights sold climbed to 7.7 million, reflecting an 8% year-on-year growth in demand.

Looking ahead, Visit Qatar plans to launch an extensive lineup of events under the Qatar Calendar 2025–2026, featuring major sports tournaments, cultural festivals, and entertainment programs designed to attract both local and international audiences.

Among the key upcoming events are the Doha International Military Music Festival (Doha Tattoo), the T100 Triathlon World Championship Final in Lusail, and the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix at the Lusail International Circuit. The Doha Film Festival, organized by the Doha Film Institute, will also return as part of the season’s cultural highlights.

Additionally, Visit Qatar is coordinating with the Local Organizing Committee for Football Events to prepare for a series of global football tournaments, including the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, and FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025. These competitions will take place in Doha, Lusail, and Al Rayyan, supported by comprehensive plans for stadium operations, fan engagement, accommodation, and media services.

Qatar Tourism emphasized that the steady growth in visitor numbers aligns with the goals of the Third National Development Strategy (2024–2030), which seeks to diversify the national economy and expand cultural, sports, and leisure opportunities for both residents and tourists.

The winter tourism season will extend into 2026, offering a rich cultural program that includes the second editions of Sealine Season 2026 and Brouq Events in Ras Abrouq, along with Art Basel Qatar at the National Museum of Qatar. Food lovers can look forward to the Qatar International Food Festival and the Throwback Food Festival, complemented by ongoing heritage and family activities across Katara Cultural Village, Souq Waqif, and Al Bidda Park.

King Abdulaziz International Airport has received two international accreditations from Airports Council International (ACI) World, strengthening its recognition for passenger experience, public health and operational readiness.

The airport was awarded the Level 4 Airport Customer Experience (CX) Accreditation and Public Health and Safety Readiness (PHSR) Accreditation during an event in Istanbul, Türkiye.

The Level 4 CX Accreditation places King Abdulaziz International Airport among the top 12 airports worldwide to achieve the distinction under ACI World’s Airport Customer Experience Accreditation programme. Jeddah Airports (JEDCO) CEO Mazen Johar received the accreditation on behalf of the airport.

The assessment covered eight areas, including customer understanding, strategy, measurement, operational improvement, governance, airport culture, service design and innovation, and collaboration across the airport community.

The PHSR Accreditation recognizes the airport’s preparedness in public health and safety and its compliance with internationally recognized standards.

JEDCO said the two accreditations reflect its continued efforts to improve passenger services, strengthen customer experience and adopt global best practices. The initiatives also aim to enhance coordination among the different organizations operating at the airport, supporting a smoother and more innovative passenger journey.

Source: SPA

Travellers from seven countries outside Saudi Arabia’s standard tourist e-visa system can now arrange travel packages and apply for entry permits through Webook.com, the digital ticketing and booking platform announced.

The new service is available to citizens of India, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Mexico. Licensed by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, Webook.com combines return flights, hotel accommodation, health insurance and a Saudi package visa into a single online booking.

The service operates under a pilot programme launched by the ministry in July in partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority. Webook.com submits applications directly to government authorities for verification, with electronic visas typically issued within 24 hours and sent by email and through the platform’s mobile application.

Previously, travellers from the seven countries generally had to apply through a Saudi embassy or third-party agencies. The new system allows applicants to select their travel arrangements online, provide the required information and wait for electronic approval.

Eligible packages must include a confirmed return flight and accommodation at a four-star or higher hotel licensed by the Ministry of Tourism. The booking must have a minimum value of SR4,000 ($1,067), in addition to a combined visa and health insurance charge of SR402.21 ($107).

The package visa permits stays ranging from two to 90 days. A single application can cover up to nine adults and five minors. All bookings must be completed at least 48 hours before departure, while visa approval remains subject to the relevant government authorities.

“Saudi Arabia is building an events calendar the whole world is meant to attend,” said Nadeem Bakhsh, co-founder and CEO of Webook.com. “Selling tickets to that calendar was step one. Being licensed to get international fans through the airport is step two.”

Webook.com sells tickets for major Saudi events, including Roshn Saudi League matches and Riyadh Season. The platform has attracted more than 18 million users across 180 countries and processed over 25 million bookings during the past year.

More nationalities are expected to become eligible for the package visa as the programme expands.

Source: Arab News

An underground dam located about 54 kilometres south of Turabah Governorate is emerging as a peaceful destination for visitors drawn to nature and outdoor activities.

Situated along Wadi Turabah, one of the governorate’s prominent valleys, the site features a distinctive landscape shaped over time by seasonal floods and rugged terrain. Slopes, riverbanks, rock formations, water and native vegetation combine to create a scenic natural environment.

The area has also become a refuge for birds and local wildlife. Water retained around the dam supports native plant growth, adding to the site’s environmental significance alongside its recreational appeal.

During weekends, residents and visitors head to the area to enjoy activities including walking, relaxing beside the valley, exploring the surrounding landscape and photographing the scenery.

Tour guide Adel Al-Baqmi told the Saudi Press Agency that the dam has attracted both residents and visitors because of its tranquil atmosphere and natural beauty.

With its combination of biodiversity, distinctive terrain and opportunities for relaxation, birdwatching and photography, the underground dam is developing into an important eco-tourism attraction in Turabah, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the area’s natural landscapes away from urban life.

Source: SPA

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a wholly owned subsidiary of Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), has announced the opening of SEVEN Tabuk, expanding its entertainment network and supporting the Kingdom’s quality-of-life and regional development goals under Saudi Vision 2030.

SEVEN Chairman Abdullah Al Dawood said the opening represents another step in the company’s strategy to develop accessible entertainment destinations that are closely connected to the communities they serve.

SEVEN Tabuk is the company’s second entertainment destination, following SEVEN Abha, as SEVEN continues its plans to establish destinations across Saudi Arabia.

Located within Tabuk city, the fully indoor, all-weather destination is designed for everyday entertainment, offering residents and visitors a wide range of activities without requiring long-distance travel.

The destination operates from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on weekends and from 4:00 p.m. to midnight on weekdays, while Scene Cinemas operates daily from 4:00 p.m. until 3:30 a.m.

SEVEN Tabuk combines international attractions with locally developed concepts. Key offerings include Discovery Adventures, featuring immersive exploration-themed environments, and Hot Wheels E-Karting, an interactive karting experience inspired by the global brand.

The destination also features SEVEN’s homegrown concepts, including Kawaken, Kawaken Junior, GolFi, Cyber Bowling and Scene Cinemas, providing entertainment options for families, young people and a broad range of visitors.

Beyond entertainment, SEVEN Tabuk is expected to contribute to the city’s wider development by supporting local employment and strengthening partnerships with local businesses.

The opening further reinforces Tabuk’s position as an emerging leisure destination in northern Saudi Arabia while expanding access to entertainment experiences across the Kingdom.

Source: SPA