Doha excels in tourism and business
Doha is a treasure trove of culture and modernity
Doha — the con uence of the gleaming skyline, traditional bazaars, Islamic art, rich museums, sophisticated hotels, vibrant eighbourhoods, and a burgeoning culinary scene — has many fans worldwide. Its dichotomy of tradition and modernity is perhaps why the Qatar capital has garnered much attention in the recent past. Doha perfectly blends the old and the new; its rich history and glorious past greatly appeal to cultured travellers. Talking about the new, the region has recently opened the National Museum of Qatar, the Doha Metro and the revamped Doha Port that serves as a
waterfront tourist attraction, attracting newage visitors.
As far as tourism is concerned, ‘Qatar welcomed 1.49 million visitors in the rst three quarters of 2019, representing a 12 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2018,’ stated Qatar National Council’s 2019 Tourism Performance Report.
Rightly so, Doha’s hospitality industry is upping its game. e city has become a destination of choice for several international hotel chains who are seen setting up base here. A perfect example is the uber-luxe property — Mandarin Oriental, Doha that opened its doors last year. e Luxury Collection also made its debut with Al Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Doha.
Looking at all this development; and initiatives like the Qatar National Vision 2030 that aims to “transform Qatar into an advanced society”, the time is here for Doha to establish itself as a non-negotiable pick in the business and leisure traveller’s list.
CARRIER CHECK
For any destination to successfully position itself as a key player in the business travel arena, an excellent global connectivity is crucial. Taking this factor into consideration, Qatar is constantly evolving its ag carrier, Qatar Airways’ international and domestic network; and in ight service.
In 2019, the airline launched a range of new destinations on its network including Davao, Philippines; Gaborone, Botswana; Izmir, Turkey; Langkawi, Malaysia; Lisbon, Portugal; Mogadishu, Somalia; Rabat, Morocco; and Valletta, Malta. In addition, the airline signed a number of new/extended codeshare agreements with airline partners such as Indigo Airlines, LATAM, China Southern, and Sri Lankan Airlines. e carrier has also added its patented business class, Qsuite, to several Indian routes namely New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Additionally, high-end corporate travellers can make use of Qatar Executive (QE), the private jet charter subsidiary of
Doha has become a destination of choice for several international hotel chains
Qatar Airways, that o ers a private and luxurious ying experience. Currently, the airline operates a modern eet of more than 250 aircra via its hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA), to more than 160 destinations worldwide. Along with Qatar Airways, Indigo and Air India Express operate direct ights between Mumbai, Delhi and Doha. Goair starts Mumbai-Doha service mid-March onwards.
MORE THAN A GATEWAY
Speaking of Hamad International Airport (HIA), the rst image that comes to your mind is probably that of the Lamp Bear by Urs Fischer that takes centre stage in the grand foyer of the airport.
And this isn’t it. HIA is one of the most architecturally signi cant terminal buildings across the globe, featuring a series of international and local artwork including the above mentioned one. Its extravagant Passenger Terminal Complex, o ers attractive rst impressions of Qatar.
Overall, the design aesthetics of the airport are reminiscent of Qatar’s natural environment and heritage. For instance, the HIA’s curve-shaped design is inspired by ocean waves and sand dunes. Inside, the shape of Emiri Terminal resembles that of a sailboat. e departure hall is an artistic glass wonder, featuring glass walls and stunning lights.
Apart from HIA’s self-check-in and self-bag-drop kiosks that provide passengers with a faster and smoother check-in process, the airport has also recently introduced ten automated security gates at the pre
O ering diverse attractions, from a tourism standpoint, Doha is a veritable hotbed of action
immigration area, so passengers can scan their own boarding cards and proceed to immigration, creating an autonomous travel experience.
In 2019, the airport authorities announced the elaborate expansion plan to further upli HIA. is features an indoor tropical garden, a 268 sqm water feature, enchanced retail and F&B space, and Al Mourjan lounge spanning.
O ering diverse attractions, from a tourism standpoint, Doha is a veritable hotbed of action. e city is blessed with abundant natural beauty such as palm-lined sandy beaches, majestic landscapes and a beautiful promenade, the Doha Corniche. In fact, for adventure lovers, the desert o ers exciting excursions including dune bashing, safaris, and luxury camping experiences. And for those who wish to learn about the culture and history of the region, Museum of Islamic Art and National Museum of Qatar
should de nitely be a part of the itinerary. While the Museum of Islamic Art houses the largest collection of Islamic art, patterns, jewellery, patterns, textiles, and calligraphic items along with artefacts that date back to the 17th century, the National Museum of Qatar narrates the story of the evolution of the country from pre-historic times. If you are interested in architectural aspects of the city, make a trip to Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center, a cultural organisation in Doha. Located close to Doha Corniche, it is a prominent landmark in the city and is distinguished by its distinctive minaret.
e city is also renowned for its buzzing local markets and shopping malls. Souq Waqif is a major landmark in Doha, selling from everyday household goods, fabrics, spices to artefacts and souvenirs. ere are also some other interesting souqs in the vicinity that are speci cally dedicated to pets, falcons, camels and Arabian horses. e traditional and historical Qatari vibe at Souq Waqif comes alive during the evenings and keeps visitors entertained and satiated with its thriving F&B and shisha scenes.
An authentic Qatari meal (that shares in uences with the other middle eastern and north African regions) must be included on your visit here. One must-try dishes such as balaleet (sa ron-infused vermicelli) served with an overlying egg omelette; khanfaroosh (fried sa ron and cardamom cake); khobz regag, (a thin type of bread) and harriss, an Emirati porridge.
There are also some other interesting souqs in the vicinity that are speci cally dedicated to pets, falcons, camels and Arabian horses
A er you relish a meal, head to the Souq Waqif Park, which is just next to this heritage market, where you can rejuvenate and enjoy a little downtime with your family.
If you want to experience modern Doha, then e Pearl-Qatar is the place to be. An arti cial island, it is supposed to be among the most glamorous addresses in the middle east. e island is constructed on what was once Qatar’s major pearl diving site (this also boosted the country’s economy in a big way).
On the island, you will nd an array of restaurants, shops, residential buildings; pedestrian-friendly squares and plazas; and a beautiful marina. For travellers, this is a great place to have fun with photography as each part of e Pearl-Qatar is modelled a er a di erent part of the world. e main Porto Arabia area is modelled on Cannes, the Qanat uartier on Venice and the Medina Centrale on Spain. Even the replica Rialto Bridge is quite an Insta-glory.
is integrated and sustainable island also makes for quite fancy a abode, as it provides residents with a multitude of amenities, lifestyle privileges and an eclectic mix of retail services. Currently, the place boasts more than 750 retail outlets, including over 400 midto high-level retail brands, occupying more than 115,000 sqm of retail space.
MICE TALK
Doha has long established itself as a preferred MICE destination in the middle east. Hence, every year, the city experiences a major ow of business tourists. e Qatari capital boasts having some extensive convention centres and conference spaces that are in line with international standards. A case in a point is the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, (DECC) that is a prominent multi-purpose MICE venue.
Located in West Bay, the hub of Qatar’s commercial district, the DECC o ers a pillarless event space, which can be divided into ve exhibition halls. To cater to business travellers, DECC also provides luxurious suites and majlis (council rooms).
Another MICE venue, Qatar National Convention Centre, designed by the renowned Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, is one of the largest venues in the middle east with conference and performance areas, exhibition foyers and VIP lounges.