Discover Qatar, the destination management division of Qatar Airways Group, has reached a major milestone by welcoming over 10,000 stopover visitors in a single month for the first time since the Qatar Stopover Programme’s relaunch in August 2021. This achievement highlights Qatar’s increasing appeal as a premier travel destination and the programme’s rising popularity.
In January 2025, the programme recorded over 10,500 visitors, a significant jump from 6,651 in January 2024. From April 2024 to January 2025, the number of stopover visitors surged by an impressive 165% compared to the same period the previous year.
The programme has also fueled a sharp increase in hotel bookings, with more than 100,000 room nights sold so far this year—doubling the figures from the previous year. Qatar Airways Holidays has played a pivotal role in this success, contributing over a third of all bookings, leveraging Qatar Airways’ global marketing reach.
Stopovers have become particularly popular among Qatar Airways frequent flyers, with 20% of customers using the loyalty currency Avios to pay for bookings. Logged-in Privilege Club members continue to earn Avios and Qpoints with every transaction.
Discover Qatar Senior Vice President, Mr. Steven Reynolds, emphasized the programme’s role in positioning Qatar as a top global destination, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030. By capitalizing on Qatar Airways’ extensive network spanning over 170 destinations and delivering unparalleled travel experiences, the initiative has firmly established Qatar as a must-visit destination. He reiterated Discover Qatar’s commitment to crafting bespoke packages that combine cultural exploration, world-class hospitality, and unforgettable travel experiences.
The rapid growth of the Stopover Programme is attributed to financial support from Visit Qatar, strong marketing campaigns led by Qatar Airways teams worldwide, and surging demand from key markets. Leading global source markets include the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands. Meanwhile, the travel trade has played a crucial role in the programme’s success, with major contributions from Australia, South Africa, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and New Zealand.
This milestone also reinforces Hamad International Airport’s status as a world-class transit hub, having been named the World’s Best Airport by Skytrax in 2024. These factors collectively enhance Qatar’s standing as a premier travel destination, seamlessly blending cultural heritage with modern luxury.
Source: Swifteradio.com
