By Raynald C Rivera
DOHA: The month-long Qatar Summer Festival 2016 aims to drive domestic tourism and attract GCC tourists with entertainment and shopping promotions, offering prizes worth QR2m, says Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA).
“For us at QTA, the festival is one of our largest annual events as part of Qatar’s strategy to grow and diversify its tourism offerings in partnership with the private sector, especially during off-peak periods.
“The strategy aims to develop a diverse and rich annual events calendar, energise the hospitality and retail sectors, drive domestic tourism and attract regional visitors year-round,” Rashed Al Qurese, Chief Marketing & Promotions Officer, QTA, told the media yesterday.
Running whole August, the nationwide festival will feature the biggest Entertainment City yet among its three editions at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center with a total area of 29,000sqm.
The Entertainment City will be divided into zones comprising games, rides, live performances and food. Entry is QR15 a person and ticket prices start at QR5.
To boost the hospitality and retail sectors, 56 hotels and nine malls are participating in the festival with promotions. The hotels will have special packages, including ‘pay for two nights and stay for three’ in hotels, and ‘pay for five nights and stay for six’ in hotel apartments.
Lagoona Mall, Landmark Mall, Gulf Mall, Ezdan, Al Khor Mall, Hyatt Plaza, City Centre Doha, Dar Al Salam and The Pearl-Qatar will offer shopping promotions, entertainment and weekly draws which will give away four Jaguar cars and QR800,000 worth of cash prizes.
A three-day Doha Comedy Festival will be held from August 18 to 20 at Qatar National Convention Center, featuring 18 Arab stand-up comedians. Tickets from QR145 to QR1,000 are available at Virgin Megastore.
On August 12, Al Gharrafa Sports Club will be the venue for ‘Street Madness’ during which short football matches led by social media influencers and performances by artistes and comedians will be staged. Spectacular fireworks display will highlight the opening and the conclusion of the festival. The displays will take place at 9pm on August 1 and 31 on the Corniche.
Feedback from residents and tourists has been a vital element in coming up with the festival which highlights “entertainment activities for families in a festive and safe environment that reflects their culture and heritage,” said Al Qurese.
“As part of planning, we held a virtual forum on social media platforms, inviting tourists and residents to post thoughts on ways to enhance the festival. We have considered the input and ways to incorporate it into the festival to ensure it reflects our target audience’s needs and wishes.
“We have been promoting the festival in a roadshow in the GCC which attracted over 500 travel trade professionals looking to include Qatar in their summer travel packages.”
The Peninsula
