Entrepreneurs Jet Off to Qatar
A Boom in Business Travel to Qatar
Business travelers are flocking to Qatar these days. The first quarter of 2025 has seen a substantial increase in business trip bookings to this Middle Eastern nation. According to certain market participants, orders have skyrocketed more than tenfold. This upward trend is also confirmed by the organizers of business trips surveyed by "Kommersant FM". Qatar is increasingly serving as a neutral platform for negotiations with Western counterparts, they note.
However, despite this growing interest, no competition with the UAE is perceived, Alexander Mkrtchyan, vice-president of the Association of Travel Agencies, points out: "Sure, Qatar may be growing, but it's only growing from a low base. In terms of tourist or business capabilities, the country lags behind. Meanwhile, business tourism is on the rise in Abu Dhabi, for example. It's clear that Dubai is the reigning champion. Sharjah can also be mentioned. Qatar accounts for less than 3% of Dubai's business tourism."
There's one thing that sets the Middle East apart: most destinations are visa-free. Scheduling meetings with a business partner in London from Chelyabinsk? Good luck! But a businessperson from Venice, Berlin, or Istanbul can easily reach Dubai. Every entrepreneur is also a regular tourist.
The Business Class Settles In
How are business events organized? You've got at least one free day, and the question is how to spend it. Qatar is a tiny country. I've been there four times, and you can drive from north to south in just two hours and from west to east in just one hour. Holding a business conference in Saudi Arabia? Forget about it, because alcohol is banned there, and a visa is required. People still want to unwind after negotiations - on the beach, in a bar, or at a restaurant. Toast a successful deal worth several million or hundred million dollars with a glass of champagne? Impossible, for example, in Iran or Saudi Arabia.
In Qatar, there are hotels where alcohol is not sold, which hinders business, so the choice is primarily made in favor of the UAE, Mkrtchyan concludes.
According to OneTwoTrip, the business travel market expanded by a third last year, with one in five trips taken abroad. China tops the list of business trips, followed by the UAE, Uzbekistan, and Turkey. Employees in the retail, consumer goods, energy, and oil and gas industries are most likely to take these trips, according to the business travel agency "Aeroclub". These destinations stand out due to a crucial factor for the business environment - Western sanctions are rarely applicable there, as noted by Arthur Muradyan, Vice President of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia for Outbound Tourism.
Eastbound Shuffle: Russian Business Travelers Head West
"China is a key tourism destination. Business missions fly there for varying purposes. Some are on the hunt for new suppliers, while others are registering companies through which they later ship goods and services to be sold within our country. This isn't just about circumventing sanctions; it's also about expanding the sale of our own products", Muradyan explains.
As for the Middle East, the region is relevant because restrictions are rarely enforced under the harsh conditions. If we talk about the tourism aspect, these are usually either business trips or "bleisure" trips, where work and recreation are combined. In absolute terms, the leaders in terms of trips are CIS countries. All these measures are taken to avoid isolation from international influences on their activities.
According to the Union of Business Travel Agencies, the volume of the business travel market in Russia reached over 1 trillion rubles last year.
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Andrey Dubkov
Qatar is experiencing a significant increase in tourism, including business tourism, for several strategic reasons. Here are some key factors contributing to Qatar's growth:
- Integrated Tourism Strategy: Qatar's comprehensive tourism strategy combines major events, strategic partnerships, and diverse tourism experiences, aligning with its long-term goal of drawing six million visitors annually by 2030[1][4].
- Events and Festivals: Qatar hosts significant events such as the Qatar Web Summit, Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition, and Qatar International Food Festival, which attract business travelers and reinforce its global profile as a dynamic tourism destination[5].
- Diversification of Source Markets: Qatar is actively working on diversifying its source markets, focusing on regional and international collaboration, as well as strengthening ties with countries in the GCC, Europe, and Asia, which are among the largest contributors to Qatar's visitor numbers[1][4].
- Strong Hospitality Sector Performance: The strong performance of Qatar's hospitality sector, with high hotel occupancy rates and significant room nights sold, indicates a robust infrastructure capable of supporting increased business tourism[5].
In comparison with the UAE, while the UAE, particularly Dubai, remains a major player in the Middle East's business and tourism sectors, Qatar is carving out its niche through unique tourism offerings and strategic partnerships[2]. Dubai's established infrastructure and business-friendly environment continue to attract a large share of regional business, but Qatar's focused approach to diversifying its tourism base is yielding results.
[1] Qatar Tourism: "Destination Qatar Strategy 2030"[2] Qatar Tourism: "Qatar Tourism Vision"[3] Gulf Business: "Qatar travel industry sights growth"[4] Arabian Business: "Qatar's $45bn hospitality sector to grow"[5] TRADOVA: "Doha Events"
In the midst of Qatar's growing business tourism, finance and industry professionals have acknowledged the country's rise as a neutral platform for Western negotiations, confirmed by surveys from Kommersant FM. However, despite this growth, the Association of Travel Agencies notes that Qatar lags behind the UAE in terms of business capabilities. Yet, Qatar's visa-free status makes it an attractive destination for business meetings, unlike Saudi Arabia which bans alcohol and requires visas.
In severe contrast, Russian business travelers are increasingly choosing to head west, particularly to China, due to the potential to find new suppliers, expand product sales, and circumvent sanctions. Middle East destinations are still relevant, primarily for 'bleisure' trips or those where restrictions are rarely enforced.
In view of these preferences, Qatar is leveraging its integrated tourism strategy, spectacular events, and diversified source markets to carve out a niche in the Middle East's business and tourism sectors. Despite the legendary status of Dubai, Qatar's focused approach and unique offerings are yielding results in the race to attract more business travelers.
