Hamad International Airport (HIA) has begun a gradual resumption of foreign airline operations as the hospitality sector initiates a strategic recovery following the regional conflict.
The move follows a comprehensive assessment by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) to ensure the highest levels of readiness for the return of international travel.
Qatar Tourism Chairman HE Saad bin Ali al-Kharji reassured the Qatari Hotels Association (QHA) during a recently held high-level meeting that the government "places great importance” on supporting various economic sectors, particularly tourism.
Al-Kharji noted that plans are in place to direct tourism events and government initiatives towards supporting the hotel sector. He added that the hotel sector is a fundamental pillar of the national tourism economy, which reinforces the state’s economic support in line with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.
During the meeting, QHA Chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors to address the challenges facing the industry under current circumstances.
HE Sheikh Faisal further stated that the government is keen to support the private sector and address the challenges it faces, reinforcing its role as a key partner in economic development.
Earlier, KPMG stated that Doha remains well-positioned to host regional normalisation talks and reconstruction conferences, creating strong demand across the hospitality and event management sectors. According to
KPMG, historical data show that the hospitality sector remains resilient, having staged a strong rebound following the 2017 economic blockade.
In a prospective assessment, Bank Audi stated that the official designation of Doha as the GCC Tourism Capital for 2026 "represents a crowning achievement for Qatar’s tourism strategy” and is expected to serve as a central pillar for medium-term arrival forecasts.
In its ‘Qatar Economic Report’, Bank Audi noted that "the pace at which Qatar’s tourism sector converges toward its medium-term targets will therefore depend primarily on...the speed at which traveller confidence in the country as a safe destination is rebuilt.”
To support the industry’s rebound, KPMG in Qatar has proposed a six-point strategy focused on capturing post-war opportunities in tourism and hospitality. A primary recommendation includes the establishment of a state-backed insurance fund to provide a financial floor for high-impact bookings and ensure global partners can re-commit to future dates without capital risk.
The government is also encouraged to consider a temporary waiver of municipality fees and hospitality licensing fees for the first 100 days of the recovery period, according to KPMG.