As foreign carriers progressively resume flights to Doha, Qatar is pushing for a swift tourism rebound and a return to business as usual, rolling out promotional campaigns, festivals and high-profile events to reassure travellers that the Gulf state is once again fully operational.
As part of this initiative, Visit Qatar CEO Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi granted an extensive interview to Euronews. He assured the media that the country is “open for business again” following what he described as one of the most turbulent periods in the aviation and tourism sectors of the region in decades.
“I’ll be very honest with you, it was a difficult time unlike anything we had experienced before, but we emerged stronger and more resilient”, he said.
Qatar is among the many countries that came under direct Iranian fire following the joint US-Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic at the end of February. Temporary airspace closures across parts of the Middle East caused widespread disruption to the aviation sector, resulting in thousands of flight cancellations and leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded. Major airlines were forced to reroute aircraft along longer and significantly more expensive flight paths.
Meanwhile, Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz sent shockwaves through global energy markets and triggered the most severe jet fuel crisis the aviation industry has experienced since the 1973 oil crisis. The effects are still being felt today, with many travellers changing their plans and abandoning not only Middle Eastern destinations but also routes that fly through the region.
More than two million airline seats were cut in May alone, as carriers attempted to absorb rising operational costs and ongoing uncertainty.
Operational Update
— Hamad Int'l Airport (@HIAQatar) May 20, 2026
Hamad International Airport continues to welcome airline partners to Doha.
Flight operations are expanding at the airport, with more than 30 airline partners operating services to and from Doha.
For bookings and flight schedules, passengers can contact the… pic.twitter.com/ZhKCLtD3hO
Since late March, Qatar Airways has been gradually rebuilding its schedule by operating flights along highly regulated, dedicated corridors. In April, foreign airlines began resuming services to Doha, and Qatar Airways announced the gradual normalisation of operations at Hamad International Airport.
Doha is now pushing aggressively for a full recovery in tourism, particularly ahead of the traditionally quieter summer season in the Gulf. Although winter remains Qatar’s peak tourism period due to milder temperatures allowing outdoor activities and desert excursions, the authorities are trying harder to promote summer as a time for family entertainment with indoor attractions, discounted luxury packages and large-scale events.
Visit Qatar’s Hala Summer campaign will run offers until September. It includes hotel and resort promotions, beach activities, and family-focused “kids go free” deals. International performers such as John Legend are expected to headline parts of the programme.
“Qatar has always been known for the unique products where we bring together culture, heritage as well as modernity”, Al-Malawi told Euronews.
“You can enjoy diving with the whale sharks as well as going to the safari, having fine dining, shopping, all at the same day. Qatar is the home of our guests from all over the world.”
Beyond tourism, Qatar is also leaning heavily on its role as a regional business and transit hub. The country is investing in digital travel improvements and applications aimed at streamlining visitor experiences, while continuing to build an events calendar that extends well beyond the summer months. This calendar includes the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Grand Prix, the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition, and concerts by artists including Shakira and composer Hans Zimmer.
In support of this expansion, Qatar Airways has announced plans to grow its international network to over 160 destinations worldwide.
“Qatar is back to normal and we can always reassure [travellers] that Qatar is always safe and secure,” Al-Mawlawi said.
