Qatar’s tourism sector has begun 2025 with impressive momentum, welcoming more than 1.5 million international visitors in the first quarter, according to official figures released this month. This figure, while slightly below the 1.6 million arrivals recorded in the same period last year, highlights the country’s sustained appeal and its successful efforts to position itself as a global travel destination.

The robust numbers come as part of a broader, long-term tourism strategy that leverages major events, strategic partnerships, and a diverse mix of destination experiences to attract travelers from around the world.

A closer look at the visitor demographics reveals Qatar’s broad international reach. In Q1 2025, 36 percent of arrivals were from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, 28 percent from Europe, and 20 percent from Asia and Oceania. This balanced mix underscores the success of targeted marketing and ongoing efforts to diversify source markets beyond the region.

The country’s multi-access approach is also evident, with 51 percent of visitors arriving by air, 34 percent by land, and 15 percent by sea, reflecting the effectiveness of investments in aviation, road, and cruise infrastructure.

The Eid Al-Fitr holiday period was a particular highlight, with Qatar welcoming 214,000 visitors over eight days-a 26 percent increase compared to 2024 and the highest holiday figure in three years. Nearly half of these holidaymakers were from GCC nations, marking an 18 percent year-on-year rise from this key market.

Hotel occupancy during Eid soared to 77 percent, up from 67 percent last year, while the overall Q1 average was 71 percent with 2.6 million room nights sold. This surge in demand was driven in part by a packed events calendar, including the globally renowned Web Summit Qatar, the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition, and the Qatar International Food Festival, all of which attracted hundreds of thousands of attendees and boosted hospitality revenues.

On the cruise front, Qatar’s 2024/2025 season saw 87 ship calls, up 19 percent from the previous year, and over 360,000 cruise visitors, marking a 4 percent annual increase. These figures underscore the country’s growing reputation as a regional cruise hub and its ongoing investment in port infrastructure and services.

The government is also making significant strides in diversifying its tourism offerings, with projects like the Simaisma development-a massive QR20 billion project featuring a theme park, luxury resorts, an 18-hole international golf course, a yacht marina, and high-end retail and dining-aimed at establishing Qatar as a premier global destination.

Looking ahead, industry analysts forecast a 3.5 percent year-on-year increase in arrivals for 2025, projecting a record 5.3 million visitors-up from 5.1 million in 2024. This growth is expected to be sustained through 2029, with arrivals projected to reach 5.7 million by the end of the decade, supported by strong demand from key markets such as Saudi Arabia, India, Germany, the UK, and the US.

Government and private sector initiatives continue to play a pivotal role, with new attractions, digital innovations, and expanded international cooperation, such as the recent tourism roadshow with Moscow and the launch of 14 weekly direct flights between Doha and Moscow.

Qatar’s long-term vision is clear: to position itself as a leading year-round destination and a central player in the global tourism landscape. The country’s third National Development Strategy (2024–2030) identifies tourism as a key pillar for economic diversification, with the ambitious goal of attracting six million visitors annually by 2030.

“The achievements of the first quarter of 2025 demonstrate some of the planned outputs of our long-term approach to tourism development,” said Saad Bin Ali Al-Kharji, chairman of Qatar Tourism. “We are excited to have welcomed 1.5 million in Q1 and look forward to welcoming more guests throughout this year,” he added.

With a dynamic events calendar, ongoing infrastructure development, and a relentless focus on visitor experience, Qatar is well on its way to achieving its tourism milestones. The country’s strategic investments, world-class events, and ambitious development projects are reinforcing its status as a leading global destination and a key player in the international tourism landscape.

In summary, Qatar’s tourism sector is not only recovering from the pandemic but is now entering a new phase of sustainable, diversified growth. The country’s strategic investments, world-class events, and ambitious development projects are reinforcing its status as a leading global destination and a key player in the international tourism landscape.

As tensions between India and Pakistan reach a boiling point, major Indian airlines including Air India and IndiGo have issued urgent advisories for passengers to arrive at airports at least three hours before departure due to intensified security measures.

The advisories follow a wave of aerial threats from Pakistan, including drone and missile attacks targeting Jammu and several military installations along the western frontier. Although India’s air defence systems successfully intercepted the strikes, the fallout has caused widespread disruptions across northern and western India.

Air India, in a post on social media platform X, cited a directive from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and urged travelers to brace for stringent checks. “Passengers across India are advised to arrive at their respective airports at least three hours prior to scheduled departure to ensure smooth check-in and boarding,” the post read. The airline also reminded flyers that check-in closes 75 minutes before departure.

IndiGo echoed the message, asking customers to account for extra time due to “extraordinary circumstances” and enhanced airport protocols. “We appreciate your understanding and cooperation,” the airline said, while urging patience amid longer queues and potential delays.

The security clampdown comes in the wake of emergency blackouts and sirens triggered in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan, following the attempted strikes. Authorities have activated emergency protocols and advised residents to remain indoors and alert.

The aviation sector is feeling the heat. Around 430 domestic flights—nearly 3% of India’s daily schedule—were cancelled on Thursday, with 27 airports shut down until May 10. Affected airports include key hubs such as Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, and Jodhpur, among others. More airports have reportedly been added to the restricted list as tensions escalate.

On Wednesday, over 300 flights were grounded and operations at 21 airports were suspended, indicating a worsening scenario for air travel in the region.

Air India also acknowledged the strain on customer service, noting high call volumes at its contact centres, and expressed solidarity with the nation’s defence forces. “We are grateful for the selfless service and dedication of our military and defence personnel,” the airline posted.

 With air travel caught in the crossfire of regional conflict, passengers are urged to stay updated, prepare for delays, and show cooperation as national security takes precedence.

Tensions flared dramatically between India and Pakistan on Thursday following a barrage of Pakistani missile and drone attacks targeting key Indian military and civilian infrastructure. The Jammu airstrip became a focal point of the assault, with one drone breaching defences and striking the airport despite India’s state-of-the-art S-400 air defence system intercepting eight missiles and three drones. Additional aerial threats were neutralised near Jaisalmer and Pathankot.

This fresh flare-up comes just 24 hours after India’s successful execution of Operation Sindoor, a powerful cross-border offensive targeting terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Indian intelligence sources reported nearly 100 militants eliminated in the precision strike, which appears to have triggered Thursday’s retaliatory escalation.

In response to the rapidly intensifying conflict and rising security risks, the Indian government has enacted sweeping airspace restrictions, temporarily halting operations at 24 airports across northern and western India. Major facilities affected include:

• Jammu & Kashmir: Srinagar, Jammu, Leh

• Punjab: Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda, Halwara

• Himachal Pradesh: Shimla, Kangra-Gaggal, Bhuntar

• Rajasthan: Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kishengarh

• Gujarat: Mundra, Jamnagar, Hirasar, Porbandar, Keshod, Kandla, Bhuj

• Chandigarh

• Pathankot (Punjab)

The nationwide air travel landscape is now under strain, prompting emergency advisories from major carriers:

• Air India urged passengers to arrive at least three hours before departure, with check-in counters closing 75 minutes prior.

• IndiGo echoed the alert, requesting fliers to budget extra time due to "extraordinary" security protocols.

• Akasa Air advised passengers via X to carry valid ID and arrive well ahead of time for a “seamless experience.”

• SpiceJet also emphasized the importance of early arrival to navigate intensified checks and ensure timely boarding.

With defence forces on high alert and the aviation sector in flux, citizens are bracing for what may come next in this escalating regional standoff.

Several Gulf airlines have suspended and canceled flights to India and Pakistan amid escalating military tensions between the two countries. The recent strikes by India in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have led to the closure of Pakistani airspace and airport shutdowns in northern India, prompting airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, and Air Arabia to adjust their operations. These disruptions have caused widespread travel chaos for passengers in the region.

Emirates has halted all flights to Pakistan until at least May 10, affecting routes to cities including Sialkot, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar, although flights to Karachi remain operational. Etihad Airways canceled flights to Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, with some aircraft rerouted mid-flight to avoid restricted airspace, resulting in delays of up to 15 hours.

Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended all flights to Pakistan due to the ongoing airspace closure. Flydubai resumed limited services to Faisalabad, Lahore, Multan, and Sialkot but canceled other flights to Pakistani destinations through at least Friday. Meanwhile, Air Arabia canceled flights from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi to Pakistan and urged passengers to check flight statuses before traveling.

In India, the conflict has led to the cancellation of over 430 flights and the closure of 27 airports across northern, western, and central regions until May 10. Airports in Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, Dharamshala, and other key locations remain closed. Indian airlines such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India, and Akasa Air have canceled numerous flights and issued advisories urging travelers to verify their flight status due to ongoing disruptions and airspace restrictions.

The escalating conflict has also caused many international carriers, including KLM, Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, Swiss International Air Lines, and Singapore Airlines, to avoid Pakistani airspace entirely. These airlines have rerouted flights to ensure passenger safety, often resulting in longer flight times and increased operational costs.

Aviation experts warn that if the hostilities continue, the region may become too risky for many non-Indian and non-Pakistani carriers, leading to a significant reduction in flights and further complicating air travel between South Asia and the Middle East.

Passengers traveling to or from the affected areas are strongly advised to stay updated through airline websites and customer service channels. Flight schedules remain highly volatile, with frequent cancellations, reroutings, and delays driven by evolving security concerns and airspace restrictions. Travelers should prepare for potential disruptions and plan accordingly as the situation continues to develop.

Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended all flights to Pakistan following the closure of Pakistani airspace, a move prompted by escalating tensions and recent military actions in the region.

The airline made the announcement via its official social media channels, emphasizing that the safety and security of its passengers and crew remain the highest priority. Passengers are advised to check the latest flight information on the Qatar Airways website or contact the airline’s customer service for updates and assistance.

The closure of Pakistani airspace was enacted for an initial 48-hour period after Indian airstrikes targeted alleged militant sites within Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, marking one of the most serious escalations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in over two decades.

The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that all flights at Islamabad and Lahore airports have been suspended until further notice, with the possibility of extended disruptions depending on how the situation develops.

The impact of this airspace closure has been far-reaching, causing a wave of flight cancellations and diversions across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe as airlines reroute aircraft to avoid the affected airspace. Major Gulf carriers such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Flydubai have also suspended or adjusted flights to Pakistani cities including Lahore, Islamabad, Sialkot, and Karachi.

Emirates has suspended all flight operations to Pakistan until at least May 10, while Etihad Airways has canceled selected flights and is assisting impacted passengers with alternative travel arrangements. Other international airlines, including KLM, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and Korean Air, have rerouted or canceled long-haul flights to Europe, resulting in longer flight times and increased operational costs.

Indian airlines have also been significantly affected, with major carriers like Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet suspending services to northern cities and rerouting international flights, leading to increased fuel consumption and potential fare hikes. The closure of Pakistani airspace has forced these airlines to take longer detours, sometimes adding two to three hours to flight durations, and has resulted in the cancellation of certain routes altogether.

Travelers are urged to remain vigilant, monitor airline communications, and check official travel advisories. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has updated its guidance, advising against all travel within 10 kilometers of the India-Pakistan border and to Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as authorities and airlines continue to monitor developments closely.

 In a dramatic ripple effect of escalating geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, several major international airlines—including Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways—have begun rerouting flights to avoid Pakistani airspace, triggering longer travel times, increased fuel costs, and the prospect of rising ticket prices.

The shift in flight paths follows a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir in April 2025, which further inflamed the already fraught relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. In response to the fallout, Germany’s Lufthansa Group announced it is “avoiding Pakistani airspace until further notice,” a decision that’s stretching certain routes by nearly an hour. Lufthansa flights from Frankfurt to New Delhi, for instance, are now charting longer detours over the Arabian Sea.

Flight tracking data shows a similar trend across the skies. British Airways, Swiss International Airlines, Emirates, and others are skirting Pakistani territory entirely, opting instead to head south before veering northward into India and other Asian destinations.

France’s flagship carrier, Air France, has also suspended flights over Pakistan, citing the “evolution of tensions” in the region. The airline is recalibrating schedules and routes, leading to operational hiccups and elongated journey times across several of its Asia-bound services.

These detours aren’t just inconvenient—they’re costly. The Jerusalem Post reports that extended flight durations are burning more fuel and inflating operational costs, which could soon be passed on to passengers through higher fares. Independent aviation analyst Brendan Sobie warns of a deeper economic blow: “It could have a significant impact on some foreign airlines who rely heavily on Pakistan airspace, as well as Pakistan, given the loss of overflight revenues.”

The airspace reshuffling follows a tit-for-tat response: India barred Pakistani carriers from its skies, prompting Pakistan to retaliate by banning Indian-owned and operated airlines, suspending trade, and freezing visa issuance for Indian nationals—though it continues to allow international carriers flying out of India to use its airspace.

With no signs of de-escalation on the horizon, the skies over South Asia are becoming increasingly crowded—and complicated—as global carriers navigate the high-stakes turbulence of geopolitics.