As Qatar prepares to reopen its borders to international visitors, it retains its position as the safest country in the world, ranking number one for the second consecutive year in Olery Guest Experience’s 2020 Numbeo Safety Index.
The index, which tracks safety in 133 countries, reaffirms the country’s outstanding level of safety and security and strengthens Qatar’s reputation as a desirable destination for business and leisure travelers, who can enjoy the country’s award-winning hospitality, business friendly environment and service excellence.
Qatar has consistently ranked as the safest destination in the Middle East in the Safety Index since 2015, with the newly released ranking marking the third time Qatar has been named the safest destination worldwide since 2017.
His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Secretary-General of Qatar National Tourism Council and Group CEO of Qatar Airways, said: “At QNTC, we work in collaboration with our partners to improve and enhance the services offered to our international visitors. Qatar’s ranking as the World’s Safest country is a testament to the institutions that contribute towards making Qatar the most welcoming and hospitable country in the world.
“With the FIFA World Cup 2022 fast approaching, we expect a significant influx of visitors to Qatar to enjoy sport and a host of authentic experiences.”
One of Forbes’ top 15 places to visit in 2019, Qatar has also earned the top rank in the “Guest Experience in the Middle East” report by Olery. The country is a rapidly growing cruise, point to point and stopover destination, and has welcomed 14 million visitors since 2017.
An average of seven hours from most major global cities, Qatar is easily accessible from anywhere in the world, with national carrier Qatar Airways connecting over 150 key destinations across six continents to Doha. Qatar’s visa waiver system allows citizens of over 80 nationalities visa-free entry, making it the most open country in the world.
Qatar prioritizes safety along each visitor touchpoint – from its award-winning airline Qatar Airways, to navigating through Hamad International Airport, which boasts the latest cutting edge security screening technology as well as advanced contactless technology at security checkpoints.
Home to world-class art galleries and iconic museums, UNESCO world heritage sites and natural wonders, along with diverse landscapes across desert, beaches, and sea, and a modern capital city, Qatar offers a range of unique and authentic experiences.
Numbeo’s ranking system
With a score of 11.90 on the Crime Index, which is the reverse of the Safety Index, residents and visitors of Qatar can feel very safe. Crime levels lower than 20 are considered very low by Numbeo’s ranking system. The rankings are calculated by an estimation of overall levels of crime in each of the countries included in the survey.
1. Olery: Guest Experience in the Middle East Report 2019 - https://mk0olery5axd990kj4c.kinstacdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Olery_Report_MiddleEast_2019.pdf
2. Forbes’ top 15 places to visit in 2019’ - https://www.forbes.com/sites/fathom/2019/01/15/top-travel-destinations-2019/#2774eef7523e
About Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC)
QNTC’s mission is to firmly establish Qatar as a place where cultural authenticity meets modernity, and where people of the world come together to experience unique offerings in culture, sports, business and family entertainment.
QNTC’s work is guided by the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy (QNTSS), which seeks to diversify the country’s tourism offer and increase visitor spending.
Since launching QNTSS, Qatar has welcomed over 14 million visitors. The economic impact of the tourism sector in Qatar is becoming of increasing importance for the government, following its announcement in 2017 that tourism is a priority sector for helping to create a more diverse economy and active private sector.
