qatar ministry of tourism

• State of Qatar

The State of Qatar

A general guide.

• His Highness The Amir
• A Decade of Transformation
• His Highness the Deputy Amir
• Government of Qatar
• Qatar at a Glance
• Qatar National Vision 2030

Qatar has emerged as an iconic tourism, art and cultural hub, blending Arab tradition with modern global trends to share with visitors from across the world.

As a country located between East and West, about 80% of the world’s population lives within a 6-hour flight, and nationals from over 95 countries can enter Qatar without a visa.

Tourism in Qatar  

The tourism sector is one of the most important pillars for Qatar’s economic diversification, and is integral to sustaining its economic growth.

Qatar Tourism, Qatar’s official tourism governing body, carries out five core functions to strengthen the country’s status as a gateway to the world:

• Strategic planning and policy development
• The development and implementation of a comprehensive plan to promote investment opportunities in the tourism sector
• Destination marketing and promotion for both leisure and business events
• The enhancement of visitor experience in collaboration with tourist-facing entities
• The management of regulatory affairs, including the swift and efficient execution of all tourism licenses and similar services

Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030

To continue to develop the tourism sector in the State of Qatar, a National Tourism Sector Strategy was developed, aimed to be fully implemented by 2030.

Aiming to attract 6 million visitors per year by 2030, Qatar’s strategy focuses on several key areas that reflect the country’s commitment to strengthening the tourism sector, such as:

• Cultivating a rich collection of museums and cultural highlights.
• Hosting world-class conventions and exhibitions.
• Constructing exceptional urban developments.
• Bringing a plethora of sporting events to the country.
• Promoting outstanding educational opportunities at world-class universities.
• Building new ultramodern airport and one of the world’s most advanced rail transit systems.

National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ)

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, NMoQ gives voice to Qatar’s rich heritage through immersive, state-of-the-art exhibits.

Museum of Islamic Art (MIA)

MIA is home to one of the most comprehensive collections of Islamic art in the world, spanning over 1,400 years. Designed by the renowned Chinese American architect I.M. Pei, MIA is a globally acclaimed museum.

Qatar National Library (QNL)

QNL cultivates Qatar’s heritage by providing a unique environment for learning and enrichment in a culturally exceptional setting.

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art

Mathaf takes a unique look into contemporary Arab art. With an extensive collection of modern art from across the region, Mathaf aims to promote dialogue and foster creativity.

Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum

The Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum takes visitors on a journey from artefacts collected from the Jurassic age through to the early Islamic period and up to the present day. The museum’s collection was acquired by Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani during his international travels.

3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum

The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum is considered one of the most innovative and technologically advanced sports museums in the world. It is a member of the Olympic Museum Network, which connects 22 Olympic museums worldwide.

Katara Cultural Village

Katara Cultural Village celebrates the region’s architectural heritage and is considered a platform to introduce the world’s cultures, by hosting concerts, shows, and exhibitions on global, regional and local levels.

Msheireb Museums

Four heritage houses in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha tell stories about Doha’s history. These houses are Radwani House, Company House, Bin Jalmood House, and Mohammed bin Jassim House.

Souq Waqif is one of the oldest souqs in Qatar and now serves as a popular social and tourist spot. Historically where Bedouin tribes would bring their essential goods for trade and sale, Souq Waqif is now a bustling location where visitors can have authentic, popular dining and shopping experiences.

Al Zubarah Town and Fort

Al Zubarah Town and Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once known as a centre for pearl diving. Al Zubarah Fort is adjacent to the walled coastal city of Al Zubarah, which is considered the most important landmark of Al Zubarah archaeological site.

National Tourism Council

National Tourism Council’s mission is to firmly establish Qatar on the global map as a world-class tourism destination with deep cultural roots. In 2014 NTC launched the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy (QNTSS), which seeks to diversify the country’s tourism offering and increase the sector’s contribution to Qatar’s economy by 2030.

NTC works in partnership with public and private stakeholders to plan, regulate and promote a sustainable and diverse tourism industry.

As part of its regulation efforts, NTC released a new hotel grading and classification system in January 2016, paving the way for a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly, and accessible hospitality sector. Uniquely, this new system holds developers, owners, management and operators equally accountable for the property’s classification.

In 2016 NTC partnered with Accessible Qatar to ensure that disabled individuals in Qatar, whether visitors or residents, benefit from the new standards of accessibility in the country’s tourist establishments and venues.

Qatar Tourism forges strategic partnerships, alliances

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Visa on arrival for travellers

Qatar looks forward to welcoming you. Find all that you’ll need to know about visiting the State of Qatar in terms of visa on arrival facilities, visa requirements and more for incoming travellers.

Travel tips

Qatar is a destination that offers novel, authentic experiences.  Read some tips that will help better navigate the local culture and fully enjoy your time in Qatar.

Getting around

Itineraries & tours.

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Things to know before travelling

Want to travel visa-free? Check if you qualify here.

Planning your trip to Qatar? Check how to get here.

Make the most of your visit with our handy travel guide.

From a dhow boat to our world-class metro, here’s how to easily explore Qatar.

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Qatar Tourism Awards Opens Public Voting for Tourism 'Influencer of the Year' Award

Doha, September 02 (QNA) - Set to take place at the end of this year, the Qatar Tourism (QT) Awards is returning for its second edition, QT said a statement on Monday.

Developed in partnership with UN Tourism, the Qatar Tourism Awards is designed to celebrate and recognise the remarkable contributions made by businesses in delivering outstanding and distinct tourism experiences in Qatar.

The Qatar Tourism Awards are designed to shed light on the factors that contribute to curating a visitor's experience at every touchpoint of their journey, by awarding tourism businesses that continually achieve excellence in customer service delivery. This initiative aims to encourage all stakeholders who play a direct or indirect role in the delivery of tourism experiences to continue to develop and emulate exceptional initiatives characterised by uniqueness, sustainability, accessibility, and high-quality service.

This year, Qatar Tourism Awards will have seven categories including Service Excellence, Gastronomic Experiences, Iconic Attractions and Activities, World Class Events, Digital Footprint, Smart and Sustainable Tourism, and Community Leadership.

For the first time this year, the public are invited to vote for their favorite 'Tourism Influencer (Content Creator) of the Year', as part of the Digital Footprint category. The shortlisted nominees were selected through a rigorous assessment by the Qatar Tourism Awards Committee, based on established criteria that carefully evaluated each individual's contributions to advancing Qatar's tourism industry.

Voting ends on September 9, 2024.

In alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030, Qatar Tourism is committed to developing the tourism industry and bolstering the country's economy with a strong emphasis on Service Excellence. Qatar Tourism firmly believes that celebrating organisations and individuals that contribute to the success of the tourism industry is essential for continually enhancing Qatar's unique visitor experience. (QNA)

Qatar Central Bank Issues Artificial Intelligence Guideline

Qc and business sweden sign mou, minister of commerce and industry calls on finnish companies to benefit from qatar's exceptional business environment, minister of finance meets egyptian counterpart, minister of labour meets omani, bahraini counterparts.

UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF H.E. SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN ABDULRAHMAN BIN JASSIM AL THANI , THE PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Qatar Tourism Awards opens public voting for the Tourism Influencer of the Year award

Qatar projected to attract 4.9 million visitors by 2025.

Doha, Qatar: Set to take place at the end of this year, the Qatar Tourism Awards is returning for its second edition. Developed in partnership with UN Tourism, the Qatar Tourism Awards is designed to celebrate and recognise the remarkable contributions made by businesses in delivering outstanding and distinct tourism experiences in Qatar.

The Qatar Tourism Awards are designed to shed light on the factors that contribute to curating a visitor's experience at every touchpoint of their journey, by awarding tourism businesses that continually achieve excellence in customer service delivery.

This initiative aims to encourage all stakeholders who play a direct or indirect role in the delivery of tourism experiences to continue to develop and emulate exceptional initiatives characterised by uniqueness, sustainability, accessibility, and high-quality service.

This year, Qatar Tourism Awards will have seven categories including Service Excellence, Gastronomic Experiences, Iconic Attractions and Activities, World Class Events, Digital Footprint, Smart and Sustainable Tourism, and Community Leadership.

For the first time this year, the public are invited to vote for their favourite ‘Tourism Influencer (Content Creator) of the Year’, as part of the Digital Footprint category.

The shortlisted nominees were selected through a rigorous assessment by the Qatar Tourism Awards Committee, based on established criteria that carefully evaluated each individual's contributions to advancing Qatar’s tourism industry.

To vote visit: https://www.qatartourism.com/en/qatar-tourism-awards/influencer-nominees. Voting ends on September 9, 2024.

-Khalifa Al Haroon (iloveqatar) -Abdulaziz Ibrahim Al Ajail (zozoalajail) -Abdulla Alghafri (QQQ) -Abdulhadi Saleh Salem Alwakean Al-Marri (abdulhadi_7) -Fatimah Dhai (newindoha) -Abdullah Darabseh (abdallahdrb) -Saoud Al Kuwari (shljadwal) -Osama Al-Nassan (osamanasan) -Tourism in Qatar Platform (qt2030) -Noor Ahmad Al Mazroei (noor_almazroei)

n alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030, Qatar Tourism is committed to developing the tourism industry and bolstering the country’s economy with a strong emphasis on Service Excellence. Qatar Tourism firmly believes that celebrating organisations and individuals that contribute to the success of the tourism industry is essential for continually enhancing Qatar’s unique visitor experience.

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Resorts World One to commence sailings from November 1

Muscat: Resorts World Cruises has officially announced the homeport deployment of its ship, Resorts World One, starting from 1 November 2024, with the support of the Oman Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Qatar Tourism, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, and the port authorities.

The cruise line unveiled its Middle Eastern debut last week in Dubai. From 1 November, Resorts World One will operate from Dubai’s DP World Mina Port Rashid, offering three weekly departures: the 2 Night Sir Bani Yas Weekend Cruise (Fridays), the 3 Night Oman (Khasab-Muscat) Cruise (Sundays), and the 2 Night Doha Cruise (Wednesdays). Passengers can combine these itineraries for longer cruises of up to 7 nights.

As the “Cruise Line that knows Asia Best,” Resorts World Cruises brings its expertise to the Gulf market. The ship will receive OIC/SMIIC Halal-Friendly Cruise Ship certification, offering Halal cuisines sourced from UAE suppliers, same-gender services, and shisha. Vegetarian and Jain cuisine will also be available, with announcements in English and Arabic.

“These are exciting times for Resorts World Cruises, as we inch closer to the start of our first sailing from Dubai to the Gulf with the Resorts World One on 1 November. The response from the Gulf and from various markets in Asia, including from our travel partners have been very encouraging and we look forward to welcoming guests aboard soon”, said Mr. Michael Goh, President, Resorts World Cruises. “Our deployment in the Gulf will unlock new opportunities for Dubai and the Gulf as a premiere cruise region. We look forward to this journey together, as we boost inbound and outbound travel for the cruise tourism sector,” he added.

Saud Mohammed Saeed Hareb, Cruise Tourism & Yachting Lead, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, said: “Inspired by our visionary leadership and with the continuous support of our partners, cruise tourism continues to play a pivotal role in the growth of Dubai’s tourism industry, aligning with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. This strategic partnership with Resorts World Cruises is a testament to our commitment to bring increasingly diverse cruise experiences to our city, underlining Dubai’s position as the cruise hub of the region. We appreciate the efforts of the cruise line in fully assessing the needs of the market and offering a comprehensive world-class holiday to travellers from the region and around the world. We look forward to welcoming the first passengers onboard Resorts World One and providing them the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable experience, particularly in Dubai itself where they will begin and end their cruise journeys and be able to take advantage of the wide range of offerings across the city.”

Resorts World Cruises will introduce its brand of renowned Asian hospitality to the Gulf, providing international cruising lifestyle experiences, with adaptation for the regional markets being served. The commencement of Resorts World One on 1 November also coincides with Diwali, one of India and Asia’s major festivals, which will also attract a wider expat demographic in the region and the inbound Fly-Cruise segment to Dubai.

Aboard the Resorts World One, prepare to be amazed by a series of specially curated performances and unexpected entertainment, inspired by the Gulf and across Asia. With the first departure coinciding with the Diwali festive celebrations, guests from the Gulf and across Asia will get to personally experience the Festival of Light on the Resorts World One, as the ship will be colourfully decorated and brightly lit with exciting Diwali inspired activities, entertainment, “Gujarat food festival”, sweets and desserts during the entire week of celebration.

Catch the onboard day to night parties for the best time of your life, starting with the high energy ‘Dazzling Departure Party’ packed with music and entertainers. Enjoy the captivating ‘Twilight Soirée’ – featuring a mesmerizing dinner show party that will elevate your senses; or experience the magical Arabian culture, tradition, music and colours with the ‘Enchanting Arabian Nights Party’ or the ‘Sand & Oasis Party’ under the starry nights. Continue to dance the night away to your favourite tunes at the ‘Bollywood Party’ and for more amazing experiences, don’t miss the bubble-licious ‘Foam Party’; water-splashing ‘Rain Party’; ‘Family Pyjama Party under the Stars’ and more.

Also, don’t miss the spellbinding stage production shows with breathtaking choreography and awe-inspiring visuals with the ship’s very own ‘Trustfall’, ‘Rhythm & Balance’, ‘Love Matters’ performances and more. Guests of all ages can also take part in a wide array of activities from various Dance Classes, including Belly Dancing, Ballroom, Japanese, Flamenco etc.; as well as Kids, Teen and Family Karaoke, Outdoor Inflatable Games, Little Dreamers edutainment programs and more.

All these and more, while sailing to some of the best and exotic destinations in the Gulf. Over the weekend, explore the famous Sir Bani Yas Island known for its beautiful beaches and wildlife park with over 17,000 animals. Alternatively discover Oman’s gem cities, Muscat and Khasab, from its stunning mountain landscape to sandy beaches and beautiful lagoons; and centuries of rich historical wonders and architectures. Passengers can also choose to cruise to Doha, Qatar, a melting pot of cultures and nationalities where old meets new with adventurous activities from dune bashing to camel races and more.

“The Omani Ministry of Heritage and Tourism with their key partners is playing a significant role in preparations to ensure a genuine experience and hospitality for Resorts World Cruises in Khasab and Sultan Qaboos Ports from November 2024 to April 2025. This endeavour holds immense significance for Oman in their respective plans to operate 11 ports in the future,” said Mr. Khalid Al Azri, Director of Tourism Trends Department, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Oman.

“We are excited to welcome Resort World Cruises to Doha for the first time. Renowned for its international experiences and expertise to cater to the needs of its passengers, we are eagerly waiting for her debut across the region. Qatar Tourism’s Cruise Season 2024-2025 is expected to be the largest yet, as the season will see many maiden cruises as well as returning cruise ships gracing ‘The Terminal’. We will be updating visitors with all the new offerings soon,” said Maryam Saoud, Head of Tourism Product Support Section at Qatar Tourism.

For the ultimate luxury experience at sea, discover The Palace, a luxury ship-within-a ship’ all-suite enclave with private amenities and access to exclusive restaurants, including 24-hour butler service.

With the upcoming deployment, Resorts World Cruises is also excited to announce its new partnership with DP World, a leading maritime gateway and hub for the region. This collaboration will focus on homeporting Resorts World Cruises fleet at Port Rashid.

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E - Services

Tourism transportation

Issue license for tourism transportation mean.

This service describes the procedures necessary to issue a license for tourism transportation mean according to the rules and requirements associated with it.

The categories of  maritime transportation means include the following categories

1)   Category (A) - refers to boats used for short trips only; they operate within the Corniche area.

2)   Category (B) - refers to boats used for long trips and operate beyond the Corniche area.

3)   Category (C) - refers to boats used for long trips offering accommodation and meals (premium and luxury boats such as yachts).

Individuals can only operate Category (A) while both Categories (B) and (C) should be operated by licensed tourism companies.

• Applicant must be listed as either owner, partner, or authorized signatory on the commercial registration.
• There may not be another open request of the same type.
• The commercial registration must be valid for at least 1 day on the day of submission.
• The commercial permit must be valid for at least 1 day on the day of submission.
• The commercial activities required must be contained in the commercial registration and commercial permit.
• The establishment ID must be valid for at least 1 day on the day of submission.
• The applicant’s identification card must be valid at the time of application.

Documents required

• Curriculum vitae of the general manager.
• Copy of commercial permit.
• Copy of commercial registration.
• Copy of first aid certificate.
• Copy of rescue certificate.
• Certificate of electrical connections inspection.
• Pictures of the transportation mean and its facilities.
• Copy of NOC (ministry of transport and communications or ministry of interior – traffic department).
• Copy of the insurance policy.

The fees for issuing a license for tourism transportation means are calculated based on the following selected activities:

• Activity fee – Traditional boat is QR 2,000 per boat.
• Activity fee – Cruise ship is QR 2,000 per ship.
• Activity fee – Tourism bus is QR 2,000 per bus.
• Activity fee – 4x4 vehicle is QR 1,500 per vehicle.
• Fees are paid after the application is approved.

Instructions

• Login to the portal with your NAS credentials.
• Go to  My Account.
• Click on the  View  to choose the organization.
• Select the specific service from the  List of services  (right-hand side).
• Fill in the required data.
• Attach the required documents.
• Confirm the accuracy of the entered data.
• Submit the service application.

Download PDF

Renew license for tourism transportation mean

This service describes the procedures necessary to renew a license for tourism transportation according to the rules and requirements associated with it.

• Required of commercial permit.

The fees for renewing a license for tourism transportation means are calculated based on the following selected activities:

• An additional 5% of the license fee will be paid for each month or part of it in case the license renewal is delayed.
• Go to  My Account .
• Click on the  View  to choose the organization.
• Select the specific service from the  List of services  (right-hand side).

Amend license for tourism transportation mean

This service describes the procedures necessary to amend the information of tourism transportation mean license according to the rules and requirements associated with it.

• Copy of commercial registration.
• The fee for amending a tourism transportation mean license information is QR 100.
• Go to  My Account  (in case of Company) or  My Profile  (in case of individual).

Cease license for tourism transportation mean

This service describes the procedures necessary to cease (stop) a tourism transportation mean license according to the rules and requirements associated with it.

• The cancellation fee of a tourism transportation mean license is QR 500.
• Go to  My Account  (in case of Company) or  My Profile  (in case of individual).

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