What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to systematically assess barriers and strategic initiatives influencing Qatar's tourism competitiveness.

March 28, 2026Open Access

Sensing, Seizing, and Transforming Destination Competitiveness: A Systematic Literature Review of Qatar’s Sustainable Tourism

Key Points

The aim is to systematically assess barriers and strategic initiatives influencing Qatar's tourism competitiveness.
Conducted a systematic literature review guided by the PRISMA framework.
Screened 4,846 records, resulting in 24 studies for in-depth analysis.
Applied inductive thematic analysis to identify key barriers and strategies.
Identified five major barriers to tourism growth: price-value mismatch, political instability, cultural constraints, environmental vulnerabilities, and infrastructure gaps.
Demonstrated adaptive governance in response to these barriers through strategic initiatives like visa facilitation and mega-events.
Highlighted the importance of ongoing institutional reconfiguration for sustained competitiveness and growth.

Abstract

Sensing, Seizing, and Transforming Destination Competitiveness: A Systematic Literature Review of Qatar’s Sustainable Tourism Extended Abstract This study systematically reviews the evolution of Qatar’s tourism sector to evaluate the historical barriers impeding its development and the strategic initiatives deployed to enhance destination competitiveness. Grounded in the theoretical synthesis of Butler’s Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC) and Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT), the research employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) guided by the PRISMA framework. Following a rigorous screening of 4,846 initial records, an inductive thematic analysis was conducted on 24 final included studies. The findings reveal five primary structural and perceptual barriers hindering destination growth: a price-value mismatch (luxury perception), regional political instability, cultural and regulatory constraints, environmental vulnerabilities, and gaps in tourist infrastructure. Utilizing DCT, the study provides a novel explanation of how the destination demonstrated adaptive governance by sensing these complex barriers, seizing strategic opportunities—such as visa facilitation, global marketing, extensive infrastructure investments, and the hosting of mega-events like the FIFA World Cup 2022—and partially transforming its tourism system through market diversification and sustainable urban planning. The results highlight that while highly imitable created resources drive initial visibility, sustaining long-term destination competitiveness and sustainable tourism growth relies on continuous institutional reconfiguration. These findings offer policymakers and destination managers in emerging markets a comprehensive, theory-driven framework for navigating lifecycle transitions and sustaining competitiveness in post-crisis environments. Keywords: Systematic literature review; destination competitiveness; Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT); Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC); sustainable tourism; destination image; FIFA World Cup 2022

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