By Raynald C Rivera
DOHA: Eid Al-Fitr Celebrations 2016 organised by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) concluded on a high note yesterday, attracting thousands of visitors to malls, museums and other venues in the past five days.
The huge line-up of events and activities in partnership with private companies and government entities was part of QTA’s efforts to showcase Qatar’s offerings as a family destination and build a diverse annual events calendar to further energise the hospitality and retail sectors, drive domestic tourism and attract regional visitors, especially during off-peak periods.
“Festivals and events are one of several avenues through which QTA works on diversifying Qatar’s tourism offering.
Other avenues include cruise tourism and business events tourism,” said Rashed Al Qurese, Chief Promotions and Marketing Officer, QTA.
Participating malls yesterday saw hundreds of families fill the venues to watch for the last time stage productions of classic fairytales, including Alice in Wonderland (City Centre Doha), Sleeping Beauty (Dar Al Salam), The Little Mermaid (Ezdan Mall), Snow White (Lagoona Mall) as well as popular kids’ TV programme Iftah Ya Simsim at Hyatt Plaza and the exciting Kids Circus Show at Al Khor Mall.
Parades and roaming shows further spiced up the festive atmosphere in the malls. Organisers expressed satisfaction with the success of the shows with a huge turnout seen daily at the venues.
“Estimates of attendance show a highly successful festival and we look forward to building on this success for Qatar Summer Festival which is just three weeks away,” said Mashal Shahbik, Director, Festivals and Tourism Events, QTA.
“We thank our partners at the malls for helping us enrich the indoor entertainment offering, our partners at Qatar National Theatre and Souq Waqif for providing fantastic performances; and Katara for drawing large crowds to it spectacular fireworks display despite the heat.”
The celebration also offered a wide array of attractive offers, including free tours of Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, aerial paragliding tours at Sealine Beach by the Qatar Air Sports Committee’s entertainment at Aqua Park, sightseeing tours at Al Dosari Zoo and Game Reserve, events at the Pearl-Qatar and leisure activities at Aspire Zone Foundation.
A highlight of this year’s festival was two QTA-sponsored theatrical shows — Tar Al Wazir, an Arabic comedy about social issues in Qatar and the GCC presented at Qatar National Theatre and the children’s play The Hunter and the Pirates at Souq Waqif’s Al Rayyan Theatre.
Preparations are underway for the 2016 Qatar Summer Festival (QSF) which starts on August 1.
Running until the end of the month, QSF is expected to drive up the number of tourists visiting the country during the period with a range of new attractions, special hotel rates, cultural events and special offers on renowned retail brands.
Partnerships with members of the hospitality sector to provide special packages to visitors this year have doubled in number from Qatar Summer Festival 2015, reaching 56 hotel establishments.
Hotels will offer special packages such as ‘pay for two nights and stay for three’ in hotels, and ‘pay for five nights and stay for six’ in hotel apartments.
QTA has been busy promoting the festival in a roadshow across the GCC which has attracted over 500 travel trade professionals looking to include Qatar in their summer travel packages.
Held under the theme ‘Colour Your Summer’, QSF offers colourful experiences, including concerts, comedy and sports events involving celebrities from across the region.
The venue will feature collection of new and exciting gaming and entertainment options for children and adults and a food court.
The Peninsula
