Qatar Tourism has unveiled the Qatar Calendar 2026-2027, a comprehensive schedule featuring more than 560 events in collaboration with nearly 780 stakeholders across the cultural, entertainment, and sports sectors. The calendar is presented through the Visit Qatar platform, designed as a unified national hub to promote and coordinate the country’s extensive event offerings for both residents and international visitors.
The launch, held in Doha, highlighted increased promotional efforts, including a monthly print distribution of 35,000 copies and digital outreach to 120 countries through Qatari embassies, as well as accessibility via Visit Qatar’s website and mobile application. Organizers aim to expand global awareness of Qatar’s event landscape and support the country’s broader tourism goals.
Saad bin Ali al-Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and chairman of the board of directors of Visit Qatar, emphasized the role of the calendar in linking Qatar with global audiences and reinforcing tourism as a key pillar of economic diversification under the Qatar National Vision 2030. He noted that efforts to boost the sector’s contribution to the national GDP to 12% by 2030 are supported by digital innovations such as the Hayya Platform and visa-free entry for citizens of over 100 countries. Additionally, al-Kharji pointed to tourism’s impact beyond events, highlighting its role in supporting hospitality, retail, transportation, as well as job creation and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Hassan bin Abdullah al-Thawadi, Managing Director of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, outlined how Qatar plans to leverage infrastructure and expertise developed during the 2022 FIFA World Cup to host major upcoming events, including the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 and the Asian Games in 2030. He stressed that Qatar is increasingly relying on local talent to lead international tournaments and is working to extend the influence of sporting events through integration with cultural, entertainment, shopping, and culinary experiences.
Abdulaziz Ali al-Malawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, detailed ongoing promotional campaigns such as outdoor advertising, cinema screen spots, and in-flight videos on Qatar Airways. He reported a significant increase in user engagement on the calendar platform, which grew to 230,000 users in 2026 compared to 105,000 in 2025, alongside 1.6 billion social media interactions. A unified digital ticketing platform is set to launch by the end of the year to streamline access to events, and new incentive packages for Hayya Platform visa holders are in development.
Supporting the calendar’s objectives, Qatar Tourism entered cooperation agreements with key partners including Qatar Rail, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, MELT Live, and the Aspire Zone Foundation. These memoranda aim to strengthen collaboration, consolidate existing frameworks, and explore new opportunities for events and tourism initiatives.
Jassim Mohammed al-Ansari, CEO of Qatar Rail, noted that the partnership with Visit Qatar underscores the commitment to integrating public transportation with the country’s tourism and events sectors. The initiative seeks to enhance visitor mobility by leveraging services such as the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram, facilitating seamless access to event venues and travel across Qatar. This integration aligns with national efforts to develop a sustainable, world-class tourism experience.
Qatar’s tourism sector reported welcoming over 5 million visitors in 2025, with hotel occupancy rates surpassing 71% and supporting more than 163,000 local jobs, figures that reflect ongoing growth and diversification in the industry.