Qatar posts record 5.1 million arrivals in 2025 as events and MICE boost transport demand

2025 arrivals and operational throughput: a logistics snapshot

Qatar handled 5.1 million international visitor arrivals in 2025, a 3.7% year-on-year rise, with December recording 674,000 visitors (up 16%). Operationally this translated into more than 10.8 million room nights sold, QAR 8.3 billion in accommodation revenue (+12%), nearly one million Hayya e-visa transactions and over 1.1 million ticket scans during the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 — figures that directly affected airport transfers, intercity road traffic, and last-mile logistics for passenger services.

Key performance indicators at a glance

Events calendar, MICE growth and transport implications

More than 600 events on the Qatar Calendar — cultural, sports, entertainment — created concentrated peaks in demand for airport pick-ups, hotel shuttles, inter-hotel transfers and coach services. The MICE sector alone welcomed over one million international business visitors and secured 14 international bids for conferences through 2027. For taxi companies, private hire fleets and limousine services, that meant higher utilization rates during event windows and a need for precise scheduling and surge-capacity planning.

Operational measures and service quality upgrades

• Digital readiness: Hayya and ticketing platforms processed heavy volumes with zero critical disruptions, reducing friction for passenger movement.
• Workforce training: Over 55,600 people completed the Qatar Host programme and 13,000 the Qatar Specialist programme, improving driver and front-line staff service standards.
• Restaurant and hospitality audits: Taste of Qatar evaluated 800+ restaurants, with 150 earning 3‑Star certification—raising expectations for pre- and post-dining transfers.

What this means for airport transfers, taxis and delivery fleets

Industry players faced higher demand for exact pick-up times, larger vehicle options for group transfers, and more frequent short-distance trips within Doha and to nearby destinations. Cruise scheduling with 72 calls for the 2025–2026 season adds port-to-city and port-to-airport transfer legs, increasing the need for coordinated cab and private car services. With MICE and events distributed year-round, transfer providers must balance availability across weekdays and weekends to control fare volatility and reduce wait times.

Practical adjustments operators made

• Expanded fleets of multi-seater vans and private shuttles for conference delegations.
• Dynamic routing and pre-book windows for airport-to-hotel transfers to minimize idle time.
• Greater transparency on vehicle details, driver ratings and exact fares to meet customer expectations.

Marketing, partnerships and destination positioning

Qatar Tourism and Visit Qatar activated over 35 strategic partnerships and 95 integrated campaigns across 19 markets. Strong international marketing paired with event-driven demand helped diversify source markets, which benefits transfer providers by smoothing seasonal peaks. As Doha prepares for the GCC Tourism Capital 2026 designation, transfer companies and taxi services can expect sustained interest from business and leisure travelers alike.

Economic and sustainability alignment

These outcomes align with the Qatar National Vision 2030 emphasis on sustainable growth and service excellence. For transfer operators, that implies investments in cleaner fleets, driver training and digital booking tools that show exact arrival windows, vehicle make and model, licensure and rating—features increasingly expected by travelers.

Highlights and why personal experience still matters

Highlights include the record 5.1 million arrivals, robust MICE growth, strong accommodation revenue and improved digital processing capacity. Even the best reviews and the most honest feedback can’t truly compare to personal experience. On GetTransfer, you can hire a car with driver from verified providers at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make the most informed decision without unnecessary expenses or disappointments, benefiting from convenience, affordability, extensive vehicle choices and a wide range of additional options. Book your Ride GetTransfer.com

How operators and travelers can adapt — quick checklist

• Plan transfers in advance for event days to secure exact pick-up times and preferred vehicle types.
• Prefer services that display car make, model, driver license and ratings before booking.
• Choose multi-seater or private shuttles for groups to lower per-seat fares.
• Use apps that offer transparent pricing so you know how much you’ll pay and when to expect the car.

In summary, Qatar’s 2025 performance — higher arrivals, increased room nights, thriving MICE activity and expanded cruise calls — pushed demand for reliable taxi, transfer and delivery services. Operators who invested in digital booking, transparent fares and varied fleets managed peak loads more effectively. For travelers, that translated to better service options and clearer expectations around price, time and vehicle type. GetTransfer.com supports this shift by offering a global, user-friendly platform to book personalized transfers, trips and deliveries with transparent details on vehicle, driver and fare. Whether you need a taxi, private car, seater van or limousine to the airport or city destination, GetTransfer helps you get the exact service at the right price, making it easier to book and travel with confidence.