Qatar is leading travel recovery in the Middle East, demonstrating a 7% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels, Qatar Tourism has announced citing a report by leading travel data and analytics company ForwardKeys.
"As there is much talk about travel recovery around the world, first with the Americas leading in 2021 and again in 2022, travel data experts at ForwardKeys are noticing the first taste of recovery in Africa and the Middle East," ForwardKeys says in its report, noting that Qatar is the "most recovered destination in the Middle East".
"Looking at the issued tickets for international arrivals in the Middle East in Q2 this year, it’s Qatar which is the soaring falcon, demonstrating a 7% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels," the report states.
The report points out that the largest origin market for the Middle East is the UK with shares of 12.8%, and while compared with 2019 it is performing well, at just -6% behind, it’s the US that is leading the recovery with a +15% increase compared to 2019 and shares just slightly smaller at 11.3%.
"Looking specifically at Qatar, we see a +76% increase for arrivals from the UK, compared with 2019, and remarkably we see a +105% increase of arrivals from the US to Qatar compared to 2019. Considering all the challenges the tourism sector has faced recently, this is an encouraging feat for Qatar ahead of the FIFA World Cup in November,” says Olivier Ponti, V-P of Insights at ForwardKeys.
Following Qatar are Egypt and the UAE, respectively, on the list.
Sharing the ForwardKeys on social media, Qatar Tourism tweeted: "Looking at the issued tickets for international arrivals in the Middle East in Q2 of 2022, we are delighted to announce that Qatar is leading the Middle East sector, demonstrating a 7% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels."
Besides international arrivals, the report highlights another achievement for Qatar: the country's airport has secured the second spot on the list of most resilient airports in the Middle East with a 7% increase compared to 2019.
“This trend was aided by Doha maintaining most air services during the pandemic and Qatar Airways adding more routes from their Doha hub,” said Shingai George, Africa market expert.
Topping the list of airports leading the recovery in the Middle East is Egypt's Hurghada International Airport, which saw an increase of 17%.
"Looking at the issued tickets for international arrivals in the Middle East in Q2 this year, it’s Qatar which is the soaring falcon, demonstrating a 7% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels," the report states.
The report points out that the largest origin market for the Middle East is the UK with shares of 12.8%, and while compared with 2019 it is performing well, at just -6% behind, it’s the US that is leading the recovery with a +15% increase compared to 2019 and shares just slightly smaller at 11.3%.
"Looking specifically at Qatar, we see a +76% increase for arrivals from the UK, compared with 2019, and remarkably we see a +105% increase of arrivals from the US to Qatar compared to 2019. Considering all the challenges the tourism sector has faced recently, this is an encouraging feat for Qatar ahead of the FIFA World Cup in November,” says Olivier Ponti, V-P of Insights at ForwardKeys.
Following Qatar are Egypt and the UAE, respectively, on the list.
Sharing the ForwardKeys on social media, Qatar Tourism tweeted: "Looking at the issued tickets for international arrivals in the Middle East in Q2 of 2022, we are delighted to announce that Qatar is leading the Middle East sector, demonstrating a 7% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels."
Besides international arrivals, the report highlights another achievement for Qatar: the country's airport has secured the second spot on the list of most resilient airports in the Middle East with a 7% increase compared to 2019.
“This trend was aided by Doha maintaining most air services during the pandemic and Qatar Airways adding more routes from their Doha hub,” said Shingai George, Africa market expert.
Topping the list of airports leading the recovery in the Middle East is Egypt's Hurghada International Airport, which saw an increase of 17%.
