Qatar Ends Free Accommodation Program for Stranded Tourists
Foreign nationals are advised to leave the country
Qatari authorities have announced the termination of the free accommodation program for foreign tourists who became stranded after the country closed its airspace. The final night covered by the government program was from March 14 to March 15. From 12:00 (MSK) on March 15, guests must either vacate their hotel rooms or continue their stay at their own expense, TASS reports.
How the program worked
Qatar closed its airspace on February 28 after intercepting missile and drone attacks launched from Iranian territory toward Hamad International Airport. About 8,000 transit passengers were affected, including roughly 1,500 Russian citizens.
Emergency support measures were then introduced for passengers who had flights scheduled between February 28 and March 7. The deadlines were extended several times. The program was comprehensive: hotel guests retained the categories of rooms they had originally booked and received full board (three meals per day), even if meals were not included in the initial reservation.
Repatriation and alternative routes
The termination of the “hospitality” protocol has complicated the situation for tourists remaining in Qatar. The number of repatriation flights is minimal. Only one flight from Doha to Moscow was scheduled, on March 14, and the airline has not announced any additional flights on this route for the rest of the month. At the same time, tourists are being advised to leave the country as soon as possible.
This can be done via land routes. The main evacuation path runs through the Abu Samra border crossing on the frontier with Saudi Arabia. Diplomats warn that Russian citizens will need a visa to transit through the kingdom. It can be obtained via the portal visa.visitsaudi.com or directly at the border. The cost, including insurance, is about $120, and payment can only be made by bank card.
From there, travelers can depart from airports in Riyadh, Dammam, or Jeddah, or use UAE hubs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. However, hopes for departure via the UAE are also uncertain, particularly through Dubai, where numerous drone and missile attacks have been reported, leading to flight restrictions. Many tourists had previously left Qatar through Oman, but explosions have recently been reported there as well.
Filming is prohibited
In Qatar, taking photos or videos of infrastructure facilities, air defense operations, damaged targets, as well as government and diplomatic buildings is strictly prohibited.
“Over the past few days, more than 400 people have been detained in Qatar for illegal filming,” the Russian diplomatic mission warned. Violations may result not only in fines and deportation, but also in the confiscation of expensive equipment without the right to reclaim it.
Similar rules apply in Dubai, where more than 20 foreigners have already been detained for filming Iranian missile and drone attacks. They face substantial fines ranging from $5,500 to $54,500, possible prison sentences of up to two years, and deportation.
Conclusion
The end of the free accommodation program effectively marks the next phase of the crisis. Authorities in the region are focused on security issues and intercepting attacks, while support measures for foreign travelers are gradually being scaled back.
As a result, many tourists now find themselves in a situation where the need to leave the country is becoming more pressing, yet the available options remain limited. A small number of flights, instability in neighboring countries, and additional transit costs make leaving the region a complex logistical challenge.
Analysts at International Investment advise travelers to assess risks more carefully when planning trips and to prioritize destinations with a stable environment. One such market is Georgia — a country that has not been affected by the current geopolitical turbulence. The economy continues to grow, tourist arrivals are increasing, and the overall situation remains calm, sustaining interest from international travelers.