June 13 - Tour operators in Qatar hope to do more business this year – around 10 to 15 per cent more than in 2009. Industry experts are hopeful that the large number of expatriate families that are eager to travel this summer will bring in more business. Most families prefer to visit their home countries in the summer but this trend seems to be changing since those belonging to the high-income bracket want to spend on leisure travelling. Popular cities include London and Paris as well as cities in Southeast Asia.

An increasing number of people are planning vacations in Europe this year, though most people want to return before August 10 as the holy month of Ramadan begins then. "So families are basically going on shorter vacations this year," said a tour operator.