Visitor arrivals surge five-fold year-on-year in February: PSA

Qatar has seen a more than five-fold year-on-year surge in visitor arrivals with those coming from other Asia, including Oceania, and Europe constituting 61% of the total in February 2022, according to official estimates.The surge in overall visitor arrivals was also reflected in the hospitality sector, particularly in the occupancy in five-star hotels and standard hotel apartments, during the period in review, the figures released by the Planning and Statistics Authority showed.The total number of visitor arrivals was 76,883 in February 2022, which however declined 10.7% month-on-month.Of the total, as much as 61% (46,718) came via the airport; 22% (16,745) through sea and 17% (13,420) by road during the review period.Visitor arrivals from other Asia (including Oceania) stood at 26,591 in February 2022, registering more than three-fold growth year-on-year.On a monthly basis, it fell 30.1%. The visitors from this region accounted for 35% of the total arrivals in February 2022.Visitor arrivals from European countries grew approximately six-fold year-on-year to 20,035 in February 2022. It saw an 8% growth month-on-month. The visitors from this region accounted for 26% of the total during the review period.The number of visitors from the Gulf Co-operation Council countries was 18,610 in February 2022, witnessing a 10-fold growth year-on-year. The visitor numbers was a 6.8% fall month-on-month in the review period.Visitors from the Gulf region accounted for 24% of the total in the review period.The visitor arrivals measures non-residents travelling to Qatar on a short-term basis for all purposes.It includes arrivals at borders under different 15 visa classes, including all businesses and leisure visa types (excluding work visas).Visitor arrivals from the other Arab countries had seen a seven-fold growth year-on-year to 5,569 in February 2022. It had seen a 19.8% expansion month-on-month. Visitors from this region constituted 7% of the total visitor arrivals this February.Visitor arrivals from the Americas stood at 4,481 in February 2022, which represented a 11-fold surge on a yearly basis. It saw a 23.5% rise month-on-month. Visitors from the Americas accounted for 6% of the total during the review period.Visitor arrivals from other African countries grew about 20-fold year-on-year to 1,597 people in February 2022. On a monthly basis, it soared 23.1%. Visitors from this region accounted for 2% of the total in the review period.The PSA data found that the hotel and hotel apartments showed a robust performance in February 2022 with the overall occupancy rate at 62% compared to 56% in February 2021.In the five-star category, the occupancy was 61% (49% during February 2021), four-star 64% (66%), three-star 82% (96%), and two and one star 78% (97%).In the case of deluxe hotel apartments, the occupancy was 58% compared to 53% in the previous year period and standard hotel apartments 64% (83%).Visitor arrivals from European countries grew approximately six-fold year-on-year to 20,035 in February 2022The number of visitors from the GCC countries was 18,610 in February 2022, witnessing a 10-fold growth year-on-year.Visitor arrivals from the Americas stood at 4,481 in February 2022, which represented a 11-fold surge on a yearly basis.