The UN Tourism and Qatar Tourism have once again collaborated to celebrate outstanding innovation and service excellence. The second Qatar Tourism Awards received nearly 1,200 entries from businesses and individuals within the industry. The award categories and sub-categories were created to showcase the diversity of Qatar’s expanding tourism landscape. Between 2019 and 2024, international arrivals in Qatar surged by 147%, marking the sector as a thriving hub for tourism innovation and investment.
In 2024, the Qatar Tourism Awards highlighted seven main categories:
- Service Excellence
- Gastronomic Experiences
- Iconic Attractions
- World-Class Events
- Smart and Sustainable Tourism
- Digital Footprint
- Community Leadership
Opening the ceremony, UN Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona highlighted the transformative potential of tourism, stating, “These awards underscore the vital role of businesses, entrepreneurs, and influencers in shaping the modern tourism landscape, both in Qatar and globally. Recognizing and investing in top talent and visionary ideas is essential to drive our sector forward. We will continue our joint efforts to build a community of leaders.
The winners were selected by a panel of judges, comprising leading experts in the tourism field. Supporting this effort, UN Tourism included one of its officials as an international expert in the selection process. Basmah Al Mayman, UN Tourism’s Regional Director for the Middle East, noted that the Awards are becoming a distinguished brand symbolizing Qatar’s dedication to advancing tourism. By celebrating excellence across diverse sectors, the Awards align with UN Tourism’s core priorities of promoting tourism as a catalyst for economic growth and sustainable development.
In his opening address, H.E. Saad Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, highlighted UN Tourism’s crucial role in the success of this initiative. He affirmed Qatar Tourism’s strong commitment to delivering outstanding service and establishing Qatar as the fastest-growing tourism destination worldwide. He also encouraged all industry stakeholders to participate in future editions, inviting them to contribute to shaping the future of tourism in Qatar.