Mashable: The remarkable growth in visitor numbers underscores Qatar's growing reputation as a premier global tourist destination.

Qatar has emerged as a thriving tourist destination, welcoming over 2.56 million visitors in the first eight months of 2023, a figure that surpasses the total number of visitors for the entire year of 2022, as reported by Qatar News Agency (QNA). This remarkable surge represents a substantial 157 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

The remarkable growth in visitor numbers underscores Qatar's growing reputation as a premier global tourist destination. This growth has been significantly favored by the successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, an event that catapulted Qatar onto the international tourism stage.

Qatar's tourism sector has received a boost through initiatives like expanding the range of existing Haya card holders and the relaunch of the Haya platform, which now serves as the online gateway for travelers requiring visas to enter Qatar.

The top 10 countries contributing to Qatar's visitor influx include Saudi Arabia, India, Germany, the U.S., Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, the UK, U.A.E., and Pakistan.

Akbar Al-Baker, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, expressed his satisfaction with the significant increase in international visitors. He noted that this growth is a testament to Qatar Tourism's strategic efforts, leveraging the momentum generated by hosting the world's largest sporting event in late 2022.

According to Qatar's monthly statistics bulletin released by the Planning and Statistics Authority, July marked a particularly significant milestone, witnessing a substantial year-on-year increase of 91.4 percent in visitors to the Gulf state, totaling an estimated 288,000.

Qatar's tourism sector continues to thrive, with an ever-expanding appeal that is attracting visitors from across the globe. The nation's commitment to enhancing its tourism infrastructure and offerings is propelling it towards becoming an even more prominent international destination in the years to come.