As parts of Middle Eastern tourism continue navigating regional uncertainty, Visit Qatar CEO Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi has moved to reassure global travel partners – and indeed, travellers – that the destination remains focused on recovery, resilience and readiness.
In a message sent to industry partners, Al-Mawlawi says Qatar’s tourism sector had responded quickly and collectively to a period he described as “unprecedented” for the region. That’s a big call, given the impact of Covid-19 on the country – and everywhere else.
“We are not simply recovering – we are executing a deliberate, coordinated bounce-back plan grounded in the proven strength of our destination and the full readiness of our infrastructure,” he states in the message.
The CEO highlights how Qatar’s tourism ecosystem responded when travellers became stranded during the crisis period, pointing to emergency visa processing, accommodation support and round-the-clock assistance.
“Our collective response was immediate and clear: we would care for them completely, with no questions asked,” Al-Mawlawi says.
He added that thousands of travellers were supported through Visit Qatar’s 24/7 call centre while accommodation, meals and extended stays were organised despite “operational complexity”.
Throughout the message, Al-Mawlawi stresses the importance of partnership and long-term confidence in Qatar’s tourism sector, particularly for investors and international travel partners.
“Those who build hotels, develop experiences and deploy capital in Qatar do so with confidence that our business environments are stable,” he states.
The comments come as destinations across the Gulf work to restore traveller confidence and rebuild momentum following disruptions linked to regional instability earlier this year.
“We look forward to welcoming international tourists back to Qatar very soon, when this crisis has fully passed,” Al-Mawlawi adds.
Capacity comeback
In the meantime, Middle Eastern carriers continue to ramp up capacity back to (and through) the Gulf region.
Most recently, Qatar Airways announced it would resume its Adelaide service in mid-June 2026, following its return to Brisbane on 16 May. The airline made its Sydney comeback in early April, joining the carrier’s Melbourne and Perth services. Virgin Australia is also partnering with the Doha-based carrier as it returns to the region in June 2026, starting with Sydney and Melbourne flights.
In other significant news, the neighbouring United Arab Emirates (UAE) removed all airspace and airport restrictions imposed during the US-Iran conflict, clearing the way for Emirates, flydubai and Etihad to return to full schedules after two months of disruption.
Recently released World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) data, shows that before conflict wreaked havoc on the region, the Middle East was emerging as one of the fastest-growing regions for travel. Qatar, along with the rest of the Gulf, will no doubt be hoping for a swift return to that success.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Visit Qatar’s message feels carefully aimed at restoring confidence fast. For Australian travel advisors, it signals the destination wants partners reassured, engaged and ready once Middle East travel momentum returns.
