Qatar Tourism is on a upward trajectory, closing 2024 with an unprecedented 5.07 million visitors — a 25 per cent increase over 2023 — and carrying this momentum into 2025 with over 1.5 million international visitors in Q1 alone.

Backed by an integrated tourism strategy, the country is making bold strides in hospitality, culinary excellence, cruise tourism, AI innovation, and eco-tourism. With major milestones such as surpassing 10 million room nights for the first time, welcoming the MICHELIN Guide, and hosting globally acclaimed events like Web Summit Qatar and the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition, Qatar is redefining itself as a year-round, must-visit destination.

Qatar Tourism and Visit Qatar showcased their offerings at at the 32nd Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, held from April 28-May 1, at a 600-square-metre pavilion that featured interactive digital experiences, cultural activations, and immersive showcases like the 4Dx Meryal Waterpark experience.

Leading a delegation of 46 partners, including hotels and destination management companies, Qatar highlighted its expanding tourism portfolio and regional leadership in sustainable tourism — underscored by ATM’s Sustainability Award for the eco-conscious pavilion design.

Several high-level meetings took place with regional and international tourism leaders to strengthen bilateral partnerships. Qatar Tourism announced a major winter cruise partnership with Celestyal Cruises, expected to bring over 40,000 visitors, and launched a new twin-centre holiday initiative with Abu Dhabi’s tourism authority. Visit Qatar also signed strategic MoUs with Huawei, flynas, and Satguru Travel to boost digital marketing, enhance regional air connectivity, and expand into African markets.

We caught up with Omar Al Jaber, director of Shared Services at Qatar Tourism, during the event to discuss the factors driving this growth as well as the tourism authority’s focus on service excellence and customer experience. Here are excerpts from the chat:

Why is ATM a key event for Qatar Tourism?

ATM is a very important event for Qatar Tourism and for Qatar as a whole. It’s one of the key exhibitions we make sure to attend every year. The event brings together different markets, segments, and stakeholders, which is crucial for us. We attend alongside our partners from the hotel and hospitality sectors, as well as destination management companies (DMCs). The goal is to enhance collaboration, foster networking, and ultimately create win-win deals between Qatari businesses and international partners.

How was 2024 for Qatar Tourism in terms of numbers and highlights?

The year 2024 was truly amazing for us. We reached 5.1 million visitors, which is a 25 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Nearly 48 per cent of those visitors came from the GCC, breaking another record.

Hotel occupancy reached an average of 77 per cent, which is also a new high. The average daily rate (ADR) per night increased too — great news for the business. It’s particularly remarkable because this comes two years after the FIFA World Cup, showing that we’ve maintained momentum. It also raises the bar for 2025—we aim to break records again.

These figures reflect not only our appeal to international travellers but also the strength of our multi-access strategy via air, land, and sea. What’s more, these milestones were achieved by diversifying our tourism offerings and continuously enhancing the visitor experience. It’s a validation of our commitment to turning Qatar into a dynamic, year-round destination.

In Q1 2025, Qatar welcomed over 1.5 million international visitors. What were the key drivers of this surge?

Our performance in Q1 2025 was shaped by a combination of high-profile events, strategic partnerships, and targeted regional and international campaigns. Events like the Web Summit Qatar, the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition — which saw nearly 30,000 visitors and QAR246m in sales — and the Qatar International Food Festival, which attracted over 365,000 attendees, significantly boosted footfall.

Additionally, Eid Al Fitr 2025 marked the highest holiday arrivals in three years, with 214,000 visitors during the eight-day celebration—a 26 per cent increase over the previous year.

Service excellence is a key focus for Qatar Tourism. Tell us more about how you’re ensuring consistent high-quality service across the tourism sector.

Absolutely. Ensuring a seamless visitor journey is critical, and that’s why we established the Service Excellence Department. This team focuses on various areas to raise standards across the board. We launched the Qatar Tourism Awards to encourage competition among hotels, hospitality providers, and individuals in the industry. The MICHELIN Guide also brought significant improvements to the restaurant and café sectors, making Qatar the second country in the GCC to host it.

On the academic side, we offer regular training to frontline workers — hotel staff, airport personnel, customs officers, immigration staff, taxi drivers, safari operators, and tour guides. We update our training content regularly to ensure that the quality of service remains high and current.

What are some emerging travel trends that you’re seeing, and how is Qatar adapting to meet these changes?

We’re targeting a broad range of tourists — families with children, couples, leisure travellers, and more. We segment our target markets into three main categories, covering around 52–53 countries. Each segment has dedicated international offices that handle promotions, partnerships, and training programmes tailored to that market.

Family travel is definitely growing. We’ve seen a marked increase in family visitors over the last few years. Qatar is also emerging as a popular destination for weddings — especially Indian weddings — which we’re very proud of.

Cruise tourism is an important pillar of our diversified strategy. The 2024/2025 season saw 87 ship calls, up 19 per cent from the previous season, bringing over 360,000 visitors. With 13 homeporting calls and five maiden voyages, Qatar is strengthening its position as a regional cruise hub. More than 10 per cent were turnaround passengers, highlighting the sector’s growing impact on local tourism and hospitality.

How is digital transformation enhancing Qatar’s tourism sector?

Digital transformation is essential, especially in marketing. Our digital team leverages various tools like Meta, Snapchat, and chatbots for targeted digital campaigns. Traditional marketing methods like out-of-home boards are becoming less effective. Instead of random broadcasting, we focus on data-driven, targeted media strategies. This approach ensures that we reach the right audience in each market, which has significantly helped increase our visitor numbers.

How important is the UAE as a source market for Qatar Tourism?

The UAE is one of our tier-one markets — very important for us, especially within the GCC. Alongside Saudi Arabia, it’s a key focus. We’re not only targeting Emirati nationals but also the large expat population living in the UAE. Once the unified GCC visa comes into play, it will truly transform travel within the region.

We also collaborate closely on cruise tourism. In 2023, we welcomed around 370,000 cruise visitors, many of whom arrived from or departed through Dubai or Abu Dhabi. This segment is growing and forms an important part of our broader tourism strategy.

Any final thoughts?

it’s been a busy but exciting time for us at Qatar Tourism. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and are optimistic about what’s to come. Our continued focus on service excellence, digital innovation, and strategic partnerships is paving the way for even greater achievements.

To improve traffic flow and ensure road safety during evening peak hours, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has implemented a new restriction on truck movement along Emirates Road.

Read-Dubai: SMEs encouraged to participate, as RTA opens 116 tenders

Effective daily between 5:30pm and 8:00pm, trucks are prohibited from using Emirates Road in the northbound direction, from Al Awir Road to Sharjah. The RTA is also encouraging truck drivers to utilise designated rest areas during the restricted hours to reduce congestion.

In a related development, the RTA has inaugurated a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge on Sheikh Rashid Street. The bridge, inspired by Dubai’s maritime heritage, serves more than 22,000 users daily and is designed to be fully accessible, including for people of determination. This initiative is part of the RTA’s broader strategy to enhance traffic safety and promote sustainable urban mobility.

Additionally, the RTA has expanded its free Wi-Fi service to include the Marina Promenade and Dubai Marina Mall Marine Transport Stations, enabling commuters to stay connected while using public transport.

Initial public offerings (IPOs) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are off to a robust start in 2025, with 14 listings raising a combined $2.4bn in the first quarter — more than doubling the proceeds recorded during the same period last year, according to the latest EY MENA IPO Eye Q1 2025 report.

Saudi Arabia once again emerged as the undisputed leader in regional IPO activity, accounting for 12 of the 14 listings during Q1.

The kingdom’s Tadawul Main Market hosted the region’s biggest deal of the quarter — Umm Al Qura for Development & Construction — which raised $523m, or 22 per cent of total MENA IPO proceeds. Almoosa Health and Derayah Financial followed with $450m and $400m raised, respectively.

Beyond Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman recorded one IPO each. Alpha Data debuted on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), raising US$163 million in the software and IT services space. Oman’s Asyad Shipping Company SAOG raised $333m via the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX).

Saudi IPOs this quarter spanned a mix of industries — signalling growing diversification away from oil-centric sectors.

• Real estate management: 28 per cent of proceeds

• Healthcare: 24 per cent

• Financial services: 21 per cent

• Retail: 17 per cent

“This year started on a positive note. MENA capital markets continue to show resilience,” said Brad Watson, MENA EY-Parthenon leader. “Saudi Arabia continues to dominate in both activity and proceeds.”

Gregory Hughes, EY MENA IPO and transaction diligence leader, highlighted the region’s shifting IPO landscape: “The upward trajectory reflects broader sector diversification. We anticipate more tech-driven IPOs this year across fintech, online retail, and foodtech.”

IPO pipeline

The pipeline for 2025 remains promising. At least 21 companies have announced intentions to go public. Of these, 17 are based in Saudi Arabia and have secured approval from the Capital Market Authority (CMA).

The UAE expects three listings, and Egypt is preparing one.

With Saudi Arabia at the helm, MENA’s IPO market is building momentum in 2025 — buoyed by sectoral diversity, investor appetite, and a healthy listing pipeline. The region’s capital markets are positioning for continued strength through the rest of the year.

At a glance:

• Q1 2025 IPOs in MENA: 14

• Total proceeds: $2.4bn

• Y-o-Y increase in proceeds: 106 per cent

• Saudi Arabia listings: 12

  • Tadawul Main Market: 5 IPOs, $1.8bn

  • Tadawul Nomu (Parallel Market): 7 listings (including one direct), $69m

• Top performing exchanges:

  • Boursa Kuwait Premier Market Index: +10.7 per cent

  • EGX30 (Egyptian Exchange): +8 per cent

• Positive post-IPO returns: 11 out of 14 IPOs

Read: Dubai Residential REIT sets IPO price range, eyes up to Dhs1.79bn raise

Samsung Electronics made public on Tuesday its slimmest flagship model to date, complete with enhanced artificial intelligence features, as it seeks to get ahead of rival Apple in the premium market.

The S25 Edge launch is designed to tap increasing demand, especially from consumers in their 20s and 30s, for more portable smartphones.

“The feedback was clear – users wanted something slimmer and easier to carry without sacrificing performance,” said Samsung, which made structural changes to reduce the thickness of internal components, including the printed circuit board and thermal systems.

Analysts said the launch was strategically timed to pre-empt Apple, which is expected to launch a thinner iPhone in the second half of this year.

“By releasing the product a few months ahead, Samsung could inflict some impact on Apple and attract consumers looking for thinner smartphones. It appears to be a calculated decision to capture that segment of demand,” Ryu Young-ho, a senior analyst at NH Investment & Securities, said.

The S25 Edge will go on sale in South Korea on May 23 and in the United States on May 30, Samsung said, adding it will roll it out to about 30 countries, including China and in Europe.

Starting at $1,099, the model has a 6.7-inch (170 mm) screen and a 5.8 millimetre-thick body, making it larger than the basic S25 model but only fractionally heavier.

The S25 Edge has Samsung‘s latest built-in AI functions, including multimodal AI that allows users to interact with the device in real time through vision and voice, using the camera to ask questions.

Samsung did not disclose the production site for the new model.

At the launch event, Samsung dismissed concerns about potential performance and heat management issues with the device.

“Some may worry that a thinner phone compromises performance or struggles with heat management,” said Samsung Electronics Executive Vice President Moon Sung-hoon.

“We managed to engineer a thinner vapor chamber to fit the slim design, and we put everything into making that happen. We’re confident the S25 Edge can be used without concerns about overheating,” said Moon.

Samsung became the world’s leading smartphone vendor in the first quarter of 2025, capturing 20 per cent of the global market and narrowly surpassing Apple, which held a 19 per cent share, data from Counterpoint Research showed.

Samsung last month, however, said second-quarter shipments could be affected if tariff risks weaken demand.

Canon’s newly appointed President and CEO for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Shinichi ‘Sam’ Yoshida, is no stranger to the region. Having first joined Canon UK as a trainee 40 years ago, Yoshida is now back to lead the business across 120 diverse countries – and he’s got a bold roadmap in hand.

In an interview with Gulf Business, Yoshida outlines how Canon plans to sharpen its focus on business imaging, expand in AI-powered and smart city technologies, and double down on opportunities in fast-growing segments like healthcare, gaming, and the creator economy in the Middle East and Türkiye.

Yoshida also sets out his five-point leadership framework and shares why the company’s legacy, R&D muscle and commitment to sustainability put it in prime position to ride the region’s digital transformation wave.

Can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your role in the EMEA region?

I’ve recently joined as President & CEO for Canon Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), a role that feels like a homecoming in many ways. My connection with this region began 40 years ago when I first came to Canon UK as an international trainee in 1984-85, spending a formative year at this HQ.

However, the four decades of my Canon career were primarily in the US, where I spent significant time both professionally and personally. I had the unique experience of growing up both in the United States and Japan, which shaped my perspective.

In my current role overseeing the EMEA region with its 120 countries, I’m struck by the level of complexity compared to the US market, which operates as a single market with one currency and primary language. The market dynamics across the region is a powerful asset, along with the many wonderful people and languages to the rich cultures and histories. I believe we can leverage this diversity as a strength to further connect with our customers and support their ever-evolving needs.

These first few months are primarily a learning period for me. I’m focusing on visiting many customers, partners and our sales teams to understand what supporting customers in the EMEA region truly means. Fortunately, we have the advantage of strong brand recognition – people already know who Canon is, many are connected to us through the various core businesses and solutions we provide – all of which gives us a solid foundation upon which to build.

As the newly appointed President & CEO of Canon EMEA, what is your long-term vision for the region, and how do you see Canon’s role evolving over the next five years?

Leading an organisation spanning 120 countries and contributing about a quarter of overall revenues to Canon Inc., my vision builds on a robust foundation while embracing and establishing new opportunities.

My approach is guided by five core leadership principles. First, establishing trust and integrity throughout the organization creates an environment where everyone feels safe and supported. Second, we should foster genuine two-way communication where the focus is not just on what’s said but also on ensuring the intended message reaches our audience. Third, creating “raving fans” among our customers who become natural ambassadors for Canon. Fourth, delivering consistent financial growth to enable future investment. And finally, pushing creative boundaries by encouraging innovation and avoiding the status quo.

In the next five years, we will strengthen our core imaging and printing businesses while expanding further into B2B Imaging, Industrial Printing, and Information Management.

This expansion will continue to use our technological expertise to enter new markets, as we’ve successfully done with medical imaging and network cameras.

Throughout this evolution, sustainability, guided by our Kyosei philosophy, remains central, driving our development of circular business models and community initiatives like our Canon Young People Program.

What’s your view on the current business landscape and how do you see the impact it has on Canon EMEA in the future?

As an imaging company in a world where imaging is increasingly omnipresent, we’re positioned well for growth. This potential stems from our ability to expand into diverse business areas connected by imaging technology needs.

We’ve started 2025 on firm footing, with our first quarter in EMEA showing promising year-over-year growth and hitting our targets. This early momentum is crucial as we work to deliver our annual objectives and longer-term goals.

Building on our successful strategic acquisitions in medical, network cameras, and robotic vision industries, we’re well-equipped to meet evolving market demands across sectors.

Our 2024 financial results reflect this strength, with 6.6 per cent sales growth in Europe driven by solid Q4 performance in print and imaging. Globally, Canon Inc. achieved 7.9 per cent sales growth, marking a new record year through steady demand for mirrorless cameras, semiconductor equipment, and network cameras.

This momentum was particularly evident in Europe’s print business, which grew 8.5 per cent through production printing success following orders from drupa, one of the world’s biggest print trade shows. Similarly, our imaging business accelerated throughout 2024, achieving 12.2 per cent Q4 growth and 3.8 per cent annual growth, supported by successful launches of the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II.

While external challenges continue, our focus on product and solutions innovation, customer-focused technology, and service excellence positions us to build on this momentum throughout 2025.

Canon Middle East and Türkiye (CMET) is forecasting 10 per cent growth across consumer and business segments in 2025. What are the key drivers behind this ambitious target?

CMET’s 10 per cent growth target aligns with regional economic growth projections of 1.9 per cent for the Middle East and 4 per cent for Türkiye and the four foundational pillars driving CMET’s future direction in the mid-term. The ‘Customer of Tomorrow’ embraces the ‘New World and New Customer’ and builds on past successes to foster confidence and continued innovation; the ‘Employee of Tomorrow’ seeks to develop skills and capabilities through learning and development for a future-ready workforce; the ‘Partner of Tomorrow’ enhances regional and country-specific partnerships to boost partner capabilities. Finally, the ‘Mindset of Tomorrow’ nurtures the ‘Our Purpose’ mindset, prioritising internal growth and cascading partner success.

A strong foundation has been established by the team for accelerated growth with drupa 2024 and imaging business growth, driven by the launch of new models designed specifically for content creators to elevate their filming and vlogging experience. The PowerShot V1, EOS R50 V and the RF-S 14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ, products align with the “customers of tomorrow” pillar and are built specifically for creators – from vloggers and live streamers to documentary-makers and social media influencers.

The Middle East and Türkiye region offers compelling opportunities through infrastructure development in smart cities, widespread digital technology adoption, and a tech-savvy population.

By strategically investing in digital printing, professional imaging, security, and healthcare, we’re capitalising on these regional dynamics to deliver sustained growth.

Canon invests over 8 per cent of its global sales in R&D. How is this investment shaping the company’s technological advancements in imaging solutions for the Middle East and Türkiye?

Our substantial R&D investment, yielding over 3,000 US patents annually, drives innovation throughout our portfolio. This translates to enhanced AI capabilities in cameras, advanced medical imaging solutions and semi-conductor chipmaking capability.

A prime example is our breakthrough nanoimprint semiconductor manufacturing system, capable of producing 2nm semiconductors at lower costs.

Thanks to this, we’re delivering tailored solutions for these rapidly developing markets by focusing investments on regional priorities like security, sustainability, and digital transformation.

What are the biggest challenges Canon faces in this region, and how is the company adapting to changing market dynamics?

There are four interconnected challenges that we see in our region: rapid digital transformation, growing cybersecurity concerns, increasing sustainability demands, and dynamic market conditions.

In response, we integrate regular portfolio updates with advanced security features like those in our imageFORCE C7165, which uses AI-based Security Environment Estimation Technology to optimise protection. For instance, it will analyse whether the device is connected via private or public network and optimise the security settings.

These efforts are guided by our Kyosei philosophy, driving sustainable design practices and market-specific approaches.

Unifying these initiatives is our 2025 strategy, centered on the ‘Customer of Tomorrow’ initiative to anticipate and meet evolving consumer needs.

The Middle East and Türkiye are evolving markets with strong digital transformation trends. How does Canon plan to capture emerging opportunities in sectors such as AI, automation, and smart imaging?

We’re capturing these opportunities through integrated innovation across our portfolio, from AI-enhanced camera focus systems to advanced medical imaging solutions. This approach extends to smart imaging, where we’re expanding beyond traditional photography, into network cameras that support the region’s smart city initiatives.

By aligning our strategic investments with regional development priorities, we’re addressing specific market needs through a powerful combination of imaging expertise and emerging technologies.

Looking to 2025, we’ll continue delivering solutions that facilitate digital transformation, enabling businesses to operate more efficiently, securely, and sustainably across the region.

Sustainability is a growing priority for businesses in this region. How does Canon integrate sustainability into its regional operations and product offerings?

Our sustainability approach has us on track for a 50 per cent reduction in lifecycle CO2 emissions per product by 2030, having already achieved 44 per cent reduction since 2008.

This progress comes through our integrated focus on waste-reducing manufacturing, extended product lifecycles, and effective takeback schemes, which processed 83,763 tons of waste into materials in 2023.

These principles shape our product innovations, such as lighter imageRUNNER ADVANCE printers with 25 per cent less plastic.

Beyond our operations, our Climate Contribution Project enables regional businesses, including Ajman Bank, Arab National Bank, United Arab Bank, and Al Majdouie Holding, to offset emissions through verified environmental initiatives.

Are there any specific markets or verticals within the Middle East and Türkiye where Canon sees untapped potential for further expansion?

We see substantial potential in AI-powered imaging and innovative print technologies across the region, where we’re focusing on delivering high-performance, sustainable solutions for both content creators and businesses. This approach complements our expansion of cloud-based services supporting hybrid work environments and digital transformation initiatives.

Canon identifies several promising opportunities in the Middle East and Türkiye, driven by the region’s dynamic economic landscape and evolving technological trends:

• Healthcare Imaging: With the region’s growing focus on advanced healthcare infrastructure, Canon aims to leverage its imaging technology to support medical diagnostics and treatment.

• Music Streaming and Video Games: With the rapid growth of digital entertainment, Canon aims to support content creators in the music and gaming industries by providing high-quality imaging solutions that enhance production value and user experience.

• Consumer Electronics: The demand for advanced consumer electronics continues to rise. Canon’s innovative cameras and printers are well-positioned to meet the needs of tech-savvy consumers seeking superior imaging capabilities.

• Printing (Commercial and Industrial): Canon plans to expand its commercial printing business and strengthen its industrial printing segment. The transition from analogue to digital printing presents a significant growth opportunity, allowing Canon to offer cutting-edge solutions that improve efficiency and output quality.

• Broadcast and Cinema: Canon is committed to enhancing its video and broadcast TV proposition. By leveraging its advanced broadcast lenses and cinema cameras, Canon aims to support the region’s burgeoning media and entertainment sectors.

• Safety and Security: Canon’s imaging technology can play a crucial role in safety and security applications, providing high-resolution surveillance and monitoring solutions that ensure safety and security.

• Corporate and Education: The hybrid work trend has created a demand for hybrid printing solutions. Canon’s ecosystem of hardware, software, and services is designed to support the evolving needs of corporate and educational institutions, ensuring seamless integration and enhanced productivity.

• Creator Economy: The Middle East and Türkiye are home to a booming creator economy, with over 200,000 content creators. Canon’s unmatched imaging ecosystem, from cameras to printers, positions it as a key player in supporting this vibrant community by providing tools that cater to their creative needs.

• Office Technology Landscape: Canon is adapting to changes in the office technology landscape, focusing on AI, cybersecurity, cloud solutions, and sustainability. These advancements ensure that Canon’s products remain relevant and secure in a rapidly changing environment

By capitalising on these opportunities, Canon aims to build on consumer and customer confidence, driving growth and innovation across various segments in the Middle East and Türkiye.

With the rise of hybrid working and digital transformation, how has demand shifted between Canon’s consumer and business imaging solutions?

Hybrid working has transformed demand across our portfolio, boosting interest in high-quality cameras and home printing solutions for consumers, while businesses increasingly seek digitization, cloud integration, and enhanced security. With 93 per cent of organisations adopting digital-first strategies, we’re seeing strong demand for document management solutions that support distributed teams while reducing operational costs.

This shift has also heightened focus on security, where products like our imageFORCE C7165 address critical cybersecurity concerns in remote work environments through advanced protective features, ensuring information security regardless of employee location.