Medical tourism in Qatar is gaining momentum as the country’s tourism landscape undergoes a significant transformation. Once recognized primarily as a regional business and transit hub, Qatar has evolved into a multifaceted destination that blends culture, global sport, luxury travel, and advanced healthcare. With strong government backing under Qatar National Vision 2030, tourism diversification has become a strategic priority and medical tourism is now taking center stage as a new pillar of growth.
At Medical Travel Market (MTM), we closely track how destinations and providers position themselves for international patients. Qatar’s recent moves signal not only ambition, but also readiness to compete at a global level, supported by world-class hospitals, specialized expertise, and a growing wellness ecosystem.
Qatar Tourism and Vision 2030
Qatar Tourism has reported steady growth in international arrivals since the pandemic, building on the global exposure generated by the FIFA World Cup and a series of high-profile international events, including the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the UFC’s first ever event in Qatar. The country’s long-term tourism strategy prioritizes high-value visitors over mass tourism, with a clear emphasis on quality experiences, longer stays, and niche segments such as culture, sport, business, wellness, and healthcare.
So far in 2025, Qatar has recorded 3.5 million international visitors, representing a 2.2% increase compared to 2024. The GCC remains the largest source market, accounting for 36% of international arrivals, followed by Europe (25%), and Asia and Oceania (22%).
Under Vision 2030, healthcare and knowledge-based industries are identified as core pillars of national development. Medical tourism aligns naturally with this agenda, supporting economic diversification while showcasing Qatar’s advanced healthcare infrastructure and specialized clinical capabilities.
Medical Tourism Takes the Spotlight
Recently at World Travel Market (WTM) London, Qatar Tourism officially showcased its medical tourism offerings. Speaking at WTM, Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, stated:
“We are giving greater attention to medical tourism, a new and important pillar for us. Athletes and teams from around the world already come to Doha for treatment – and now we are expanding that experience to visitors seeking advanced medical care and wellness travel.”
The focus was firmly on two flagship institutions that already attract international patients: Sidra Medicine and Aspetar – both widely regarded among the best hospitals in Qatar within their respective specialties.
Sidra Medicine: Precision Care for Women and Children
Sidra Medicine Qatar is one of the country’s most advanced tertiary hospitals, with a strong emphasis on women’s and children’s healthcare.
Key facts at a glance:
- Opened: 2018
- Type: Academic medical centre
- Focus areas:
- Maternal and fetal medicine
- Paediatrics and paediatric surgery
- Rare and genetic disorders
- Neonatal intensive care
Sidra Medicine was designed to meet international academic medical centre standards, integrating clinical care, research, and medical education. It works closely with Qatar Foundation and international partners to deliver evidence-based care aligned with best practice.
In recent years, Sidra Medicine has gained regional and international recognition for its advanced neonatal and pediatric intensive care services, complex maternal–fetal interventions, and research-led treatment pathways for rare diseases. For international families seeking specialized pediatric or maternity care within a safe, well-regulated healthcare environment, Sidra represents an excellent option in Qatar.
Aspetar: Leading Sports Medicine Hospital in Qatar
When it comes to sports medicine, Aspetar is a globally recognized, specialized orthopedic and sports medicine hospital.
Key facts at a glance:
- Opened: 2007
- Specialization: Orthopaedics, sports injuries, rehabilitation, and performance medicine
- Unique distinction: The world’s first specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital
Aspetar has long been the treatment destination of choice for elite athletes, professional football clubs, Olympic teams, and international sporting federations. Its clinical approach combines accurate diagnosis, non-surgical and surgical interventions, and advanced rehabilitation and return-to-play programs.
Aspetar has also been designated as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence since 2009, reinforcing its global credibility. Increasingly, its expertise is being extended beyond elite athletes to active individuals and private patients seeking world-class musculoskeletal care.
For international patients considering orthopedic surgery, sports injury recovery, or rehabilitation abroad, Aspetar in Qatar is a standout institution among the best hospitals in Qatar.
Zulal Wellness: Luxury Wellness Tourism in Qatar
Globally, patients are increasingly turning their attention to prevention, recovery, and wellbeing. Qatar has recognized this shift, with Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som emerging as a cornerstone of its wellness tourism strategy.
Key facts at a glance:
- Opened: 2022
- Location: Northern Qatar coastline
- Positioning: The Middle East’s first full-immersion wellness destination
Zulal Wellness Qatar blends modern diagnostics with Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM), a unique approach that differentiates it from wellness resorts elsewhere in the world. Wellness retreats at Zulal focus on stress management and burnout recovery, lifestyle-related conditions, weight management and metabolic health, as well as post-treatment recovery and preventative health.
The resort has received international attention for its culturally rooted yet science-led model, making it particularly appealing to tourists from the GCC and wider Middle East.
What This Means for Medical Tourists
Qatar is positioning itself as a destination for patients who prioritize clinical excellence and specialized expertise, offering access to advanced treatment within an environment designed for comfort, safety, and high-quality recovery.
This positioning is particularly relevant for patients seeking complex pediatric and maternal care, world-class sports medicine and orthopedic surgery, as well as heritage inspired wellness retreats that combine prevention, recovery, and lifestyle optimization.
With flagship institutions such as Sidra Medicine, Aspetar, and Zulal Wellness, supported by a clear national strategy, medical tourism is a high potential growth pillar for Qatar Tourism. The vision of Qatar Tourism aligns healthcare excellence with long-term economic vision and destination development.
For international patients and wellness tourists exploring treatment or wellness retreats in the Middle East, Qatar is a destination to seriously consider.
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