Indigenous app bridges local tourism gap

In recent years, digitisation has increasingly influenced the travel and tourism industry, making travelling more affordable, convenient, and accessible. With the coronavirus pandemic grounding planes and shrinking footfall to hotels, the industry was forced to evolve and create ways to remain relevant, further embracing digital solutions.

The tourism industry in Qatar is one of the largest non-oil contributors to Qatar’s GDP and has been demonstrating steady growth. Data from statista.com projects the GDP revenue volume from tourism to rise from QR58.8bn in 2016 to QR200 bn in 2028. As a priority sector of the government and a channel to highlight the country’s growth, development, and image to the rest of the world, its immediate recovery from the ongoing global crisis is critical. While the industry gradually returns to its pre-pandemic activities, the approaching FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the first-ever to be hosted in the Arab world, is expected to give it a boost. At the same time, the tourism industry is expected to play an essential role in creating a unique and memorable experience for the expected 1.5 million visitors to Qatar and the rest of the spectators of the mega event.