Qatar tourism is ramping up in 2026 with sports, cultural and wellness events aimed at attracting more Indian tourists.
Summary: Qatar tourism is promoting a packed 2026 calendar of sports, cultural and wellness events aimed at increasing arrivals from India. Visit Qatar is leveraging concerts, festivals, wellness packages and improved flight connectivity to grow the Indian market.
Visit Qatar has outlined an ambitious programme for 2026 designed to draw more Indian tourists by showcasing a mix of international sporting fixtures, cultural festivals and wellness experiences. Qatar tourism is prioritising events and partnerships that highlight the country’s sporting credentials, cultural offerings and healthcare strengths to appeal to travellers from India.
Events-led approach for 2026
Visit Qatar has prepared a diverse 2026 events calendar that includes concerts, culinary festivals and food experiences intended to attract international visitors, with a particular focus on the Indian market. The initiative aims to offer culturally rich, leisure-driven programmes that complement Qatar’s existing tourism assets.
- Concerts and live entertainment
- Culinary festivals and food experiences
- Major international sporting events
- Family-friendly cultural programmes
Sport as a central draw
Sport is a key pillar of Qatar’s 2026 strategy. Building on its recent history of hosting high-profile events, the country is positioning itself as a global sports hub. Visit Qatar expects sporting competitions to resonate with Indian visitors, who have strong interest in cricket and football, and to drive inbound traffic during the year.
Cultural, family and wellness offerings
Alongside sports, Visit Qatar will highlight cultural attractions, family-focused activities and wellness tourism. Qatar’s museums, architectural sites and heritage experiences are being packaged to appeal across age groups, while wellness initiatives combine medical services with leisure stays to attract visitors seeking health-oriented travel.
- State-of-the-art healthcare integrated into wellness travel packages
- Medical care combined with leisure and relaxation
- Family-friendly museum and cultural itineraries
Connectivity: flights and market focus
Strong air links underpin the campaign. There are 99 weekly flights from 13 cities across India to Doha, making travel between the two countries convenient. Qatar Airways is operating at 90 percent capacity, reflecting sustained demand from Indian travellers and the potential for increased frequencies.
- 99 weekly flights from 13 Indian cities to Doha
- Qatar Airways operating at 90 percent capacity
Visit Qatar will concentrate its promotional efforts initially in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru to build strong brand awareness, using those metropolitan centres as a base to extend outreach into India’s smaller cities and regions.
Targets and forecasts
Visit Qatar has set a medium-term target of attracting 6 million international tourists by 2030. The nation has already recorded 5.8 million visitors, and Visit Qatar projects that a 6-7 percent rise in Indian arrivals this year would contribute materially toward reaching that goal.
Why this matters: For travellers from India, Qatar’s 2026 agenda offers more reasons to visit — from marquee sporting events and concerts to cultural festivals and combined wellness packages that leverage the country’s healthcare capabilities. For the tourism industry, the strategy signals intensified competition for regional visitors and potential growth in air capacity, hospitality demand and event-led travel services.
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