Muslim Friendly Tourism (MFT):
Understanding the Supply and Demand Sides
In the OIC Member Countries
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3.3 Qatar
Qatar’s is another destination, which has the potential to grow in the MFT market. Qatar
Tourism Authority stated aim is to develop the destination with a balance of
preserving/showcasing heritage as well as building modern attractions/experiences. It is one
of the five key areas prioritized for the development of tourism. Qatar currently does not offer
the same variety and diversity of activities and leisure attractions as some of its neighbors like
the UAE. The government has targeted the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions
segment as a source of development. Other niche tourism segments receiving special focus
include cultural tourism and sports tourism.
The number of Muslim arrivals to Qatar has increased largely in recent years. In comparison
with 2010, the total number of Muslim visitors in 2014 has increased by almost four times.
Table 23 shows inbound tourism for the years 2010 to 2020.
Table 23: Muslim visitor arrivals to Qatar for the period 2010 to 2020
Year (Inbound Tourism) 2010 2014 2020
Inbound Muslim Visitor Arrivals (Millions) 0.87 1.49 2.76
Inbound Expenditure by Muslim Visitor (US$ Millions) 1,895 5,368 19,021
Source: CrescentRating, 2015
Muslim visitor arrivals are expected to nearly double in the next five years to reach 2.76
million by 2020. In 2014 the Muslim tourist arrivals were 1.49 million. The Muslim visitor
arrival growth rate will be about the same as the total visitor arrivals. The percentage of
Muslim tourist visitors in 2014 was 52.0 percent of total arrivals and this would be the same
over the next five years. Qatar is expected to attract Muslim tourist from the GCC region.
Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, Minister of Culture, Arts, and Heritage, commented that
Muslim tourism would expand as QTA placed emphasis on culture of Qatar, for example the
Museum of Islamic Art. The national strategy is to strengthen the tourism industry and turn
Qatar into a cultural centre in the Gulf. A recent event held with focus on the youth was the
Fourth Arab-European Youth Forum to foster dialogue between these different cultures.
Faith-based needs of Muslim Traveler
a) Halal Food
Except for a few places, all food served is considered Halal in country as a whole.
Monitoring of restaurants in Qatar is done by Qatar Supreme
Council of Health, Department of Health Outlets and Food
Control, as part of an ongoing inspection campaign to improve
health and hygiene standards in eating outlets across Qatar.
Members from the health control department of Doha
Municipality, accompanied by Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya)
officers, conduct spot checks on dining premises. Mohamed Al