The State of Qatar is aware of the fact that cultural tourism is one of the largest and fastest-growing tourism markets in today’s world. Therefore the government has established many important strategies and objectives with aim of making the country one of the most important cultural activities hub in the region. Such goals are being achieved in Qatar through organization of cultural events and investing in festivals development, encouraging community engagement and presenting tourism with authentic experiences.
Organization of cultural events is increasingly being used to promote destinations and enhance their competitiveness and attractiveness. Therefore the competent authorities in the country is keen to enhance promotion of heritage through a series of cultural activities such as Spring festivals, camel racing, Arabian horse racing, falconry festivals and Al Sadu weaving. In addition to sponsoring varied cultural events where prominent local, regional and global figures partake such as musical and arts events in Katara Cultural Village and Souq Waqif or Qatar’s International Food Festival which is annually organized by the National Tourism Council (NTC).
Many locations in different parts of State of Qatar like Souq Waqif Doha, Al Wakra, Katara, Aspire Zone and Al Shamal city, are now actively promoting cultural assets as a means of developing competitive tourism markets in the region exerting efforts to create local distinctiveness in the face of globalisation.
The growing relationship between tourism and culture as major drivers of destination attractive to tourists in addition to their cultural and social values has significant role to encourage seasonal festivals like the popular Souq Waqif Spring Festival which kicked off on Friday.
This annual festival blends games and rides with concerts and shows making it a much-anticipated event in Souq Waqif’s calendar for its high entertainment value. The festival hosts groups of cultural performers from several countries in the region including Oman, Kuwait and Jordan whose performances reflects their respective nationals dress and costumes along their dances and songs using their native musical instruments.
Throughout the 15-day festival, a circus show wows the visitors with acrobats, jugglers, magicians and other artistes coming from other countries showcasing their skills in their performances, in addition to entertaining animal acts. Similar spring festival is also being organized in at Al Wakrah’s Souq Waqif, another attractive tourist destination in the country.
Along the musical and cultural activities the festival venue in Souq Waqif witnesses promotion of local entrepreneurs selling a wide array of scrumptious snacks such as Turkish ice cream, burgers, crepes, waffles and corn as well as beverages including juice, karak and coffee, among others. The State of Qatar is carrying out effort exerted to promote and celebrate the culture and heritage of the country, not as an exercise in creating destination attractive to tourists, but also a heartfelt desire to reconnect the people with their rich heritage and past.
