Qatar is expecting a strong rise in tourist arrivals from India in 2026, with projections pointing to a growth of at least 6–7 % compared to last year. The Middle Eastern nation hosted around 4,39,000 Indian travellers in 2025, marking a 6 % increase over 2024, according to Visit Qatar.
Tourism officials attribute this optimism to a packed events calendar for 2026, including concerts, food festivals and culinary experiences designed to attract global visitors, especially from India. These offerings were highlighted during the Outbound Travel Market 2026 held in Mumbai, where Qatar showcased its destination strengths.
Visit Qatar is placing a strong focus on sports tourism, family travel, cultural events and wellness experiences for the Indian market. Officials said the country’s proven capability in hosting international sporting events positions it as an attractive destination for Indian travellers seeking diverse experiences.
Medical tourism is also emerging as a key growth area. Qatar’s robust healthcare system is now being aligned with tourism offerings, with plans to introduce curated medical travel packages that combine treatment with leisure and destination experiences.
Connectivity continues to be a major advantage for Qatar. Currently, 99 weekly flights connect 13 Indian cities to the country, with flights operating at nearly 90% capacity. Authorities indicated that Qatar Airways may consider increasing flight frequencies from India in response to sustained demand.
Looking ahead, Visit Qatar aims to strengthen its brand presence initially in India’s metro cities before expanding outreach to other regions. With a long-term vision of welcoming six million international tourists by 2030, Indian travellers are expected to play a significant role in helping Qatar achieve this milestone.