Qatar’s high standing in the international arena and the country’s progress towards growth despite the unjust siege was yet again cemented in the year that passed by when different pillars of development together contributed to nation-building. National Tourism Council is one among them.
The third edition of Shop Qatar festival continues to generate massive interest among residents and tourists, driving huge footfall and sales, which is another testament to the country’s resilience.
Shop Qatar offers residents and visitors special curated experiences as it bundles retail and entertainment offerings as well as unbeatable deals at over 55 participating hotels across the country, timed around winter break for residents and visitors to fully enjoy the season’s festivities.
Running for 35-days until January 20, Shop Qatar is expected to be a real treat for bargain hunters and fashion–forward aficionados with the inaugural Shop Qatar Design District which will bring the latest fashion and lifestyle trends at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre from January 5 to 12 with its 75 pop-up shops, 20 international fashion shows and 10 master-classes. The festival also offers shoppers a chance to win cash and car prizes worth QR3m.
“Shop Qatar is taking place during a very special season of the year for visitors and residents alike. The Festival’s content and offerings are reviewed and renewed annually to ensure our audience segments are getting curated experiences that are authentic and respond to their different needs,” said Rashid Al Qurese from National Tourism Council (NTC).
The Council’s efforts in launching Shop Qatar as a world-class shopping festival and attracting local spending power as well as regional and international tourism are already bearing fruit. The festival aims to bring more tourists from world over, now that Qatar has become the most welcoming country in the GCC opening its doors to the world with visa facilitation measures by granting visa waiver to more than 80 nationalities and free 96-hour transit visa.
Mashal Shahbik from NTC said: “In each new edition of the festivals and tourism events which NTC organises along with public and private sector partners, we are always keen to provide exciting platforms for local entrepreneurs and home-grown talent to meet and grow their audiences.” Shahbik thanked private and public sector partners for their continuous collaboration in building and growing the country’s festivals and tourism events.
For tourists who are looking for quality vacation, sightseeing and shopping from the most luxurious brands which are found in Qatar market, Shop Qatar is the place to be. Not only does Shop Qatar support big malls, it also gives platform to promote local entrepreneurs through pop-up shops. In another first, festival organisers have launched a free Shop Qatar mobile application to bring all the festival’s events and activities straight to everyone’s fingertips. The festival has proved that the country can beat all odds and that everything is possible with strong cooperation between the public and private sectors.
