Arab News, Monday, Sep 04, 2023 | Safar 18, 1445
Qatar’s post-FIFA tourism thrives with over 91% surge in July visitors
Qatar:
Qatar continues to build on its post-FIFA World Cup tourism momentum, with July
reporting a 91.4 percent year-on-year surge in visitors, reaching an estimated
288,000, as revealed by the latest official data.
The Qatar Monthly Statistics bulletin, published
by the Planning and Statistics Authority, also highlighted a 2.1 percent
increase in July compared to the previous month, underscoring the nation’s
commitment to strengthening its tourism and cultural sectors.
The statistics further showed that visitors from
the Gulf Cooperation Council countries represented 47 percent of the total guest
count, emphasizing Qatar’s regional appeal.
Visitors arriving in the gas-rich Gulf nation by
port made up as much as 58 percent of the total arrivals.
The monthly bulletin, encompassing various
economic indicators, also drew attention to a substantial rise in total
electricity generation in July. It recorded an increase of 9.7 percent, with
electricity consumption experiencing a concurrent surge of 10 percent compared
to the preceding month.
Demographic data showed a slight jump in the total
population in the country, from 2.65 million people in July 2022 to 2.70 million
people in July 2023, at an annual growth rate of 1.72 percent. The total
population also increased by 1.8 percent on a monthly basis.
Container shipments soar by 19%
Meanwhile, the number of container shipments
handled by Qatari ports experienced a 19 percent surge in August compared to
July, reaching about 119,936 twenty-foot equivalent units, revealed new data
released by Qatar Ports Management Co., also known as Mwani Qatar.
The data further highlighted that shipments of
building and construction materials surged by 31 percent, totaling 46,075 tons.
Additionally, shipments of livestock saw an increase of 215 percent, with 17,231
head of cattle being imported. Vehicles and equipment also grew by 30 percent,
reaching 7,875 units.
Furthermore, the data indicated that general and
bulk cargo amounted to 160,131 tons. In August, Mwani Qatar received a total of
249 ships.
Mwani Qatar plays a pivotal role in managing the
country’s seaports and shipping terminals, with ambitions to develop into a
regional shipping hub. It is a key player in diversifying Qatar’s economy,
ensuring readiness for a post-hydrocarbon future.