Qatar sets sights on new astro-tourism initiatives
Coinciding with the sighting of the pink supermoon recently, Qatar has launched new astro-tourism programmes to promote ‘the hidden gems’ of natural and heritage sites in the country.
In a statement yesterday, Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) pointed out that the pink supermoon illuminated the skies of Qatar as everywhere else in the world on the eves of April 26 and 27.
The astronomical event occurs when the moon is at its perigee, or the point in its elliptical orbit at which it is closest to the Earth, where the moon was 357,000km away from earth. In association with QNTC, astro-photographer Vinay Swaroop Balla captured amazing photos of the pink moon from the top of the Torch Tower and many other iconic towers in Doha.
Coinciding with this astronomical phenomenon, QNTC launched new astro-tourism experiences in collaboration with its partners in the private sector. The activities include moon-lit camel safari and stargazing in the desert with an astronomer guide, safari trips and BBQ dinner banquets by the campfire in Qatar’s unique natural wonders which boast a wonderful panoramic view. A bespoke range of these newly launched ‘Arabian Nights’ packages is expected to attract travellers and visitors from around the world, with the expected gradual return of the global travel and tourism, with the aim to strengthen Qatar’s position as a preferred tourist destination in the Middle East.