QATAR – The National Planning Council (NPC), Qatar’s hotel occupancy in the first nine months of 2024 (January-September) averaged 66%, an increase from 53.7% recorded in the same period in 2023.
The Average Daily Rates (ADR) for hotels rose from QR 407 (US$ 111.57) to QR 431 (US$118.15) during the same period. In September 2024, hotel occupancy reached 63.4%, compared to 57.7% in September 2023.
ADR for September also increased from QR 359 (US$98.41) in 2023 to QR 380 (US$104.17) this year.
The recent uptick in hotel performance is partly attributed to a rise in tourist numbers visiting Qatar.
More than 2.6 million people visited during the first half of 2024, marking a 28% increase from the previous record set in the same period last year, as reported by the National Planning Council (NPC).
Saudi Arabia continues to be Qatar’s largest source market, accounting for 29% of total arrivals, while 45% of visitors come from GCC countries overall. India is the second-largest market, contributing 8% of total visitors.
Although the third quarter of 2024 experienced the usual dip in arrivals due to high summer temperatures, the record-breaking visitor numbers for the first half of the year reflect strong growth in Qatar’s tourism sector.
According to the NPC, the pace of new hotel developments has slowed after a decade of significant expansion.
Over the past 12 months, fewer than 1,000 new hotel keys were added, a stark contrast to the annual average of more than 2,800 keys delivered between 2014 and 2023.
The total hotel supply, including rooms and apartments, is now close to 40,000 keys.
The improved performance in 2024 highlights the positive impact of Qatar hosting major international events such as the Asian Cup, Formula 1, and the Web Summit.
However, despite rising revenues and occupancy rates, the market remains competitive, requiring ongoing government investment to establish Qatar as a globally recognized destination for leisure tourism and events.
Currently, approximately 90% of Qatar’s hotel rooms are classified as four-star or five-star, with most apartments categorized as ‘deluxe.’
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