DOHA, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Qatar welcomed more than 2.6 million international visitors between January and June, representing a 3-percent increase in visitor numbers in the first half of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024, according to a statement issued on Monday by Visit Qatar, the marketing arm of Qatar Tourism.

Visitors from Gulf Cooperation Council countries accounted for 36 percent of arrivals, followed by visitors from Europe at 26 percent, Asia and Oceania at 22 percent, and 7 percent each from the Americas and other Arab countries.

"We will continue to deepen cooperation at local, regional, and international levels, expand strategic partnerships, and participate in major global forums," the statement quoted Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, chairman of Qatar Tourism, as saying.

Earlier this year, Qatar Tourism announced that the sector contributed 55 billion Qatari riyal (approximately 15.11 billion U.S. dollars) to the country's GDP in 2024, accounting for an estimated 8 percent of the total economy, a 14-percent increase from the previous year. ■