RIYADH: Qatar recorded a 24.5 percent annual increase in the total number of inbound visitors in August, reaching 328,000, new figures revealed. 

Data from the National Planning Council’s Monthly Statistics bulletin showed that the highest number of visitors was from the Gulf Cooperation Council, representing 41 percent of the total. 

Air travel was the most popular method for visiting the country, accounting for 64 percent of all transit options. 
The increase aligns with the goal of Qatar’s National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030 to welcome over 6 million annual visitors, positioning the country as the Middle East’s fastest-growing tourist destination. 

The bulletin further disclosed a monthly increase in total new driving licenses by 0.6 percent, along with an increase in total new registered vehicles by 11.3 percent, compared to July, with a registration of 8,605 new vehicles. 

In the banking sector, the broad money supply reached 731 billion Qatari riyals ($200 billion) in August, marking a 6.7 percent annual increase. 

Cash equivalents, including commercial bank deposits, totaled 1.035 trillion riyals in August, reflecting an 11.6 percent increase year on year. 

Regarding building permits, Qatar issued 721 approvals in August, representing an 8.3 percent annual increase. 

As part of its diversification efforts, the state is prioritizing the tourism sector, achieving a milestone by welcoming over 4 million visitors in 2023, the highest in five years. 

The achievement, reported by the Qatar Tourism Authority in January, highlights the country’s success in capitalizing on the momentum from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, according to a press release issued at the time.  

The increase coincided with Qatar’s strategic move to streamline travel, notably by implementing the Hayya platform earlier in 2023, which simplified entry procedures for travelers. 

The initiative complemented Qatar’s liberal travel policies, allowing visas on arrival for citizens from 95 countries. 

A year-long calendar of events and engaging marketing campaigns has also played a vital role in boosting tourism. Since the start of last year, visitors from Saudi Arabia have led the influx, accounting for 25.3 percent of total international arrivals, the release added at the time. 

They were followed by travelers from India at 10.4 percent, Germany at 4.1 percent, the UK at 3.9 percent, and Kuwait at 3.5 percent.