Qatar Ranks 19th Globally in Condé Nast Traveller Awards Highest Gulf Country on the List
Qatar has broken into the world’s top 20 travel destinations, placing 19th in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards; the publication’s 39th annual edition. Nearly 800,000 readers cast votes between April and June 2026, rating destinations on a five-point scale. Qatar ranked as the highest Gulf nation on the list, sitting between France (18th) and Canada (20th). The Peninsula Qatar
The recognition reflects Qatar’s rapid tourism ascent. The country welcomed over five million visitors in 2024; a 25% year-on-year increase, followed by a further 3.7% rise in 2025. Condé Nast highlighted Doha’s blend of futuristic urban development and deep-rooted tradition, praising the country’s world-class hotels, restaurants, and growing creative character. The 2022 FIFA World Cup is credited as a key catalyst for this momentum.
The ranking signals that Qatar’s tourism strategy is delivering results well beyond the World Cup cycle, positioning the country as a globally recognised destination as it pursues broader economic diversification.
Read our previous article on Qatar related news here.
