More than 80 major international events now take place in Qatar every year, across diplomacy, technology, sports, trade and culture.
This was disclosed by Executive Director to the Permanent Committee for Organising Conferences (PCOC) Mubarak Ajlan Mubarak al-Kuwari, who noted that many events are strategically co-ordinated by the PCOC, aligning global conversations with Qatar’s National Vision.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), al-Kuwari said that these events have made Qatar a venue for dialogue and innovative solutions, adding that when people think of Qatar today, they no longer picture just a small desert nation in the Gulf, but see a connectivity hub that brings the world together and a trusted international partner.
He noted that the Doha Forum and Qatar Economic Forum brought together more than 8,500 people from over 160 countries. Almost half of them came from abroad to exchange ideas on everything from global development to humanitarian crises. He added that Web Summit Qatar 2025 saw more than 25,000 participants, 1,520 startups, and hundreds of investors and companies gathered in Doha, transforming the capital into a livewire of innovation and tech energy.
He highlighted Qatar’s role as a trusted international partner. From high-level GCC summits to interfaith dialogues and ministerial meetings, Qatar continues to be the place where the region, and increasingly the world, comes to talk, listen, and collaborate.
“In less than a decade, Qatar has evolved into a thriving international hub, and at the heart of this transformation lies a powerful force: events. From cultural festivals to global summits, Qatar’s deliberate investment in hosting meaningful, world-class gatherings is reshaping its place on the map, and in the minds of millions,” al-Kuwari said.
He added that the past year alone saw over 5mn international visitors arrive in Qatar, marking a 25% jump from 2023. Nearly 10mn hotel room nights were sold, a record that speaks to the country’s growing magnetism. And 2025 is already off to a strong start, with 1.5mn international visitors in just the first quarter, with average hotel occupancy hitting 71%. He noted that visitors were arriving from across the Gulf, Europe, Asia and beyond, drawn by the country’s relentless rhythm of events.
He said that none of this would be possible without the deep foundation Qatar has built over the years. Starting with Hamad International Airport, repeatedly named one of the world’s best, connects Doha to more than 170 cities. Inside the country, the sleek Doha Metro and network of highways make it easy for visitors to get where they need to go, whether it’s a business summit at a state-of-the-art convention centre or a cultural gathering in Katara.
Al-Kuwari described all the factors feeding into Qatar’s hosting of the events were a winning formula. He pointed to data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), 51% of international visitors in 2025 came by air, 34% by land, and 15% by sea, a testament to the country’s multi-access strategy. He noted that Qatar has built not just connections, but confidence: this year, Doha was ranked the second safest city in the world, giving both event organisers and tourists peace of mind.
He said that none of this momentum came out of nowhere, as Qatar proved its hosting credentials on the world’s biggest stage during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and that legacy continues to ripple outward. The numbers tell a compelling story: Qatar’s events industry is expected to grow by over 11% annually, reaching nearly $4.65bn by 2032. The WTTC projects the sector will contribute QR124.2bn to the economy in 2025 alone, supporting 350,000 jobs, and nearly half a million by 2035. International visitor spending is expected to hit QR98.8bn this year, and QR144.7bn within a decade.
Looking ahead, al-Kuwari stressed that Qatar was doubling down. Later this year, it will co-host the Second World Summit for Social Development with the UN, an event that only comes once every 30 years. He said that such a milestone alone would be a defining moment for most countries. But for Qatar, it’s part of a packed calendar that also includes the T100 Triathlon World Championship Final (through 2030), the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, and the high-energy return of the Visit Qatar E1 Grand Prix of Electric Boats.
“And alongside these headline events, there’s a vibrant mix of festivals, exhibitions, and sports tournaments that reflect Qatar’s growing identity as a place where cultures meet, and futures are shaped,” he added before concluding by saying that in a world searching for authenticity, Qatar is showing what’s possible when a country leads with “ambition, hospitality, and heart. The numbers prove it. The people feel it. And the world is watching.” (QNA)