Qatar, by unveiling its international events calendar, which includes over 560 events until 2027, seeks to attract more tourists and strengthen its tourism industry. This program has been launched especially after an unprecedented influx of tourists last year, when the country welcomed 5.1 million visitors.
Diversity of Events in Qatar's Calendar
The events program includes sports competitions, cultural activities, entertainment, and food festivals. Jasem Al Mahmoud, the communications director of "Visit Qatar," announced that 2.9 million tourists traveled to Qatar in the first half of this year. He added, "The largest number of visitors came to Qatar last year, so this encourages us to have such a rich calendar to enhance their experience and provide more options for them."
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Notable Sports and Cultural Events
This calendar includes major sports events such as the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar 2026 from November 19 to December 13 and the return of MotoGP to the Lusail International Circuit from November 6 to 8. Additionally, Doha will host the Doha Marathon on January 15, 2027. Furthermore, the FIBA Basketball World Cup from August 27 to September 12, 2027, and the Qatar Formula 1 Grand Prix from December 3 to 5, 2027, are also on the agenda.
Besides sports events, the calendar also includes concerts and cultural festivals. Hans Zimmer, the Oscar-winning composer, along with artists such as Ingham and Saint Laurent, will be part of this program. The Harry Potter film music concert is also included in this list. The Qatar International Food Festival, Art Basel, and the Al Ruwais Festival are also among these events.
Development of Qatar's Tourism Industry
This calendar is part of Qatar's long-term strategy to develop the country's tourism industry. Doha has set a goal to increase the tourism share of GDP to 12% by 2030. Al Mahmoud further stated, "We believe we have diverse offerings, and these events provide visitors with more options during their stay."
Steve Harvey, the famous American host and comedian who attended the unveiling ceremony, also mentioned that his previous experiences in Qatar encouraged him to return. Harvey announced that he has signed a multi-year contract to host more entertainment events in Qatar, which includes the return of "FuelFest," a new comedy series, and the "Family Feud" program. He also referred to plans for hosting a "Family Feud" World Cup that invites families from different countries to Qatar.
With the unveiling of this calendar, Qatar sends a message of readiness and richness of its programs to the world, demonstrating that the country is fully operational.
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