Qatar emerging as the new destination for tourism and entertainment

The Times Kuwait Report

Qatar Tourism hosted a press trip to celebrate the ‘Summer Season’ in Doha, designed to showcase the country’s top tourist and entertainment landmarks.

The event aimed to highlight the diverse activities available to visitors from around the globe, positioning Doha as a leading destination in the region for tourism, entertainment, luxury shopping, and culture. This follows the city’s notable success in organizing the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

Doha is experiencing significant urban development and population expansion, with construction projects for large commercial and residential complexes taking place throughout the city. The road network is also undergoing major improvements, and transportation options have diversified, including the ‘Doha Metro’, tram lines, buses, and taxis.

Investing billions of dollars in global markets, Doha is also directing substantial capital spending domestically to modernize all aspects of life and develop various economic sectors, particularly entertainment and tourism. This investment aims to diversify revenue sources in line with the ‘Qatar National Vision 2030.’

Qatar shines as top travel destination as Doha welcomes four million visitors in record-breaking year

As Qatar rapidly establishes itself as a leading global travel destination with its unique blend of authentic Arabian hospitality and rich cultural heritage, Doha welcomed over four million visitors last year, surpassing the total number of visitors from the previous five years.

In the first half of 2024, the city attracted over 2.6 million tourists, marking a 28.5% increase compared to the same period last year. Notably, in January 2024 alone, Qatar welcomed over 700,000 tourists, the highest number ever recorded in a single month

Qatar’s five ambitious goals

Qatar is renowned as one of the safest and most crime-free countries globally. In line with its National Vision 2030, which underscores the significance of tourism, the National Tourism Sector Strategy has outlined five ambitious goals to achieve:

1. Attract over six million visitors annually by 2030, positioning Qatar as the fastest-growing tourist destination in the Middle East.
2. Boost the contribution of the tourism and travel sectors to the Qatari GDP by 12% by 2030.
3. Enhance Qatar’s reputation as a top global destination for excellence in tourism services.
4. Increase domestic tourism spending by three to four times compared to 2019 levels.
5. Double the number of employees in the tourism sector by 2030.

A world of diverse attractions, from stunning beaches to luxurious resorts and cultural wonders

Qatar offers a wide range of tourist attractions to suit all tastes and interests, thanks to its advanced services, diverse cultural and heritage sites, international museums, pristine beaches with clear waters, luxurious resorts, and modern architectural landmarks.

During the summer season, Qatar hosts a variety of outdoor and indoor tourism and entertainment activities for all ages, including the Qatar Games Festival, the Children’s Summer Camp, the Arab Design Exhibition, ‘Your Vacation in Msheireb,’ the Qatar Summer Trade Fair, and more. Additionally, the indoor amusement park ‘Doha Quest,’ located in the Doha Oasis Mall in the Msheireb area, spans over 32,000 square meters and stands out as an entertainment destination with over thirty games, attractions, and virtual reality experiences.

Qatar has all the makings of a world-class tourist destination, featuring stunning natural landscapes, a thriving art and culture scene, and unique tourism assets that celebrate its cultural roots.

For thrill-seekers and adventure enthusiasts, Qatar offers a variety of experiences, including desert safaris over sand dunes, water sports in its clear waters, and breathtaking views from paragliding and hot air balloon rides.

Marial Water Park: Dive into 69 thrilling rides and 53 exciting water slides

Located near the Rixos Hotel on Qetaifan Island, north of Doha, this park features a variety of water activities, including 69 rides and 53 water slides, and spans over six acres. It includes the world’s tallest water slide, Icon Tower (85 meters high), and the iconic Marial. The park also extends along beautiful sandy beaches, providing an ideal place to relax.

Lusail: Qatar’s modern economic hub with 38 square kilometers of luxury, entertainment, and innovation

Lusail, the modern economic capital of Qatar, is located north of Doha and spans 38 square kilometers. It encompasses four islands, 19 multi-purpose residential areas, entertainment and commercial spaces, and luxury hotels. Additionally, it will house the headquarters of national and international companies.

Conceived in 2005, the city is designed to accommodate more than 200,000 residents, 170,000 employees, and 80,000 tourists in its entertainment and hospitality facilities, bringing its total population to nearly half a million.

Lusail was one of the major projects unveiled by Doha in conjunction with hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022. The city featured some of the tournament’s largest stadiums, including the venue for the final and several key matches.

Al Maha Island in Lusail is a popular destination for entertainment and leisure, distinguished by its location across from Marina Walk.

The sustainable city boasts a modern transportation network, with its gardens and green spaces covering over 3.5 million square meters. Treated water is used for irrigation, and the city includes a 27-kilometer sea strip that contributes to the creation of artificial coral reefs along the waterfront.

National Museum of Qatar: Modern immersions into a rich historical tapestry

Inspired by the natural crystal formations known as the ‘desert rose,’ the National Museum of Qatar was designed by renowned French architect Jean Nouvel and built around the old palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, which served as the seat of government for 25 years.

Covering an area of 430,500 square feet, the museum features several interconnected halls that narrate the country’s history from ancient times to the modern era.

The National Museum of Qatar houses a wide array of artifacts, manuscripts, photographs, jewelry, and traditional costumes. Among its highlights is the pearl-studded Baroda Carpet, commissioned by the Maharaja of Baroda in India in 1865. This exquisite carpet is adorned with over 1.5 million pearls, as well as diamonds, emeralds, and blue sapphires.

The museum also includes halls where visitors can explore Qatar’s evolving wealth through sensory experiences involving hearing, sight, and smell, using films, archival photographs, and scents that evoke historical times and places across the country.

Katara: Explore stunning mosques, a Greek theater, and a grand opera house

Katara is a unique cultural village located in The Pearl, situated between the renowned financial district and the crescent-shaped Katara Towers. It is a favorite destination in Doha for those who appreciate culture, arts, and food.

The Katara Cultural Village features the Blue Mosque, adorned with Persian and Turkish tiles and décor inspired by the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul. Also notable is the Golden Mosque, located opposite the open-air theater.

Built in classical Greek style, the theater spans over 3,200 square meters, accommodates more than 5,000 people, and offers stunning views of the sea and the Cultural Village.

Additionally, Katara houses the Opera House, various public spaces for the arts in traditional Qatari style, and within the Katara Mall, visitors can find the luxurious French Galeries Lafayette, the shops of “21 High Street,” and relaxing waterfront areas.”

Cartier Channel: Venice-inspired elegance on Pearl Island with canals and colorful charm

Inspired by Venice, this residential area on Pearl Island offers a vibrant and charming setting for shopping and dining, featuring canals and colorful buildings. Visitors can relax in the shaded walkways, enjoy an ice cream, and admire the replica of Venice’s Rialto Bridge.

Throughout the day until 11 p.m., visitors to Quartier can rent watercraft for a fun exploration of the area’s waterways and bridges.

Souq Waqif: A vibrant blend of life and history

The most famous market in Doha, Souq Waqif is known for its bustling atmosphere during the moderate months of the year and is a popular spot for spending quality time with relatives and friends, particularly in its traditional roadside cafes.

Built on the site of the old Doha Souq from a century ago, Souq Waqif showcases a rich history through its heritage buildings and shops.

The market is a vibrant hub filled with gifts, household items, antiques, handicrafts, fabrics, carpets, wooden furniture, and fishing and diving equipment. It comes alive with the sounds of vendors, commercial activity, and the bustling movement of restaurants and cafes throughout its various areas.

Msheireb: The dynamic pulse of Doha

Msheireb Downtown Doha is one of the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration projects, strategically located in the heart of the city.

The district promotes a modern, digital society with smart living and working environments, making it an excellent place to work, shop, play, and live. It features the Doha Design District, a cultural hub for regional and international talent, as well as the Msheireb Museums, which consist of four heritage houses celebrating Qatar’s history.

Al Maha Island and Place Vendôme: A fusion of luxury, entertainment, and elegance in Doha

Al Maha Island covers 230,000 square meters and features entertainment areas and upscale hospitality services, including Lusail Island, Winter Wonderland, and some of the finest restaurants in the world. It is renowned for combining entertainment and leisure in a single location.

Place Vendôme is a luxury mall spanning over one million square meters, inspired by classical French architecture and featuring a central water canal with small boats. The four-story mall houses approximately 580 luxury and mid-range stores, including global fashion brands. Visitors can explore the mall’s intricate design and enjoy a variety of dining and café experiences.