Jawed Ahmed Malik
CEO/ Chief Editor The News Lark
http//:www.thenewslark.com
Qatar has many beauties and attractions for tourists.Qatar is one of the fastest-growing countries in the field of tourism. According to the World Tourism Ranking, more than 2.3 million international tourists visited in 2017. Qatar has become one of the most open countries in the Middle East due to its recent visa facilitation, including allowing nations of 95 countries to enter visa-free and free of charge. Qatar was recently put in the top eight market climates in the Middle East by the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Survey of the World Economic Forum. Doha is one of the fastest-growing hotel markets in the world. It has spent US$ 220 billion on infrastructure since the successful World Cup bid which helped to boost tourism in Qatar. The tourism sector continues to witness a strong recovery post Covid 19 and it has set a target of 12% of GDP by 2030 for tourism. The tourism industry in Qatar has grown quickly, making it a hub for people traveling from all over the world. The Museum of Islamic Art, Souq Waqif, and the Katara Cultural Village are some of the most popular places to visit. People from 95 countries can now enter Qatar without a visa thanks to new rules. This makes it one of the easiest places to visit in the Middle East. The nation is also on course to experience a major jump in athletic and corporate tourism by hosting world-class tournaments such as the 2030 Asian Games. Qatar National Airlines, as well as Hamad International Airport, provide travelers with one of the best transportation services in the world, and this has increased tourism in Qatar. There are many archaeological sites like Al Da’asa, Al Khor Island, Jebel Jassasslyeh, Lehsain, Murwab, Ras Abrouq, Ruwayda, Umm Al Maa, and Zuberih. It also has many attractive beaches like Al Ghariyah Beach, Al Thakhira Beach, Fuwairit Beach, Khor Al Adaid, and Ras Abrouq Beach. Those who have an interest in history might like to visit museums like Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, National Museum of Qatar, etc.
The Pearl Qatar is a man-made island near Doha’s prestigious West Bay District. Featuring Mediterranean-style yacht-lined marinas, residential towers, villas, and hotels, the area also offers a luxurious shopping experience with premium designer boutiques and showrooms. The Island is also home to modern dining spots from refreshing ice cream to five-star c experiences, and stands out for its pedestrian-friendly squares and plazas along with its wide range of landscape gardens. The Pearl is a popular visitor attraction by its elegance, and inviting description.
Qatar enjoys a strategic location at the crossroads of East and West, on average only 6-7 hours away from many of the world’s major population centers and travel hubs. Its five-star Air Line, Qatar Airways, connects over 160 destinations worldwide to Doha., upon arrival; visitors enjoy unsurpassed safety, comfort, and hospitality. Qatar’s tourism strategy aims to position the country as one of the most desirable destinations worldwide for both leisure and business. Qatar’s tourism offerings, from arts and culture to adventure and sport, to sand and sea – are distinct, providing traditional experiences with a unique modern twist.
Qatar Tourism is the main government body for planning and regulating the tourism sector. Its mission is to firmly establish Qatar on the global map as a place where cultural authenticity meets modernity, and where people of the world come together to experience unique offerings in culture, sports, business, and family entertainment.Citizens of over 95 countries are eligible for visa-free entry into the State of Qatar, while citizens of remaining countries can apply for either Electronic Travel Authorization or an Online Tourist Visa. Allowable lengths of stay vary by country of origin.
Tourism is rapidly growing in Qatar and is one of several economic sectors that the country is focusing on to enhance economic diversification over the coming decade. Qatar enjoys a strategic location at the crossroads of East and West, on average only 6-7 hours away from many of the world’s major population centers and travel hubs. Its five-star airline, Qatar Airways, connects over 160 destinations worldwide to Doha; and upon arrival, visitors enjoy unsurpassed safety, comfort, and hospitality.Qatar’s tourism strategy aims to position the country as one of the most desirable destinations worldwide for both leisure and business. Qatar’s tourism offerings –from arts and culture to adventure and sport, to sand and sea – are distinct, providing traditional experiences with a unique modern twist.
Qatar Tourism, Qatar’s official tourism governing body, carries out five core functions to strengthen the country’s status as a gateway to the world:
- Strategic planning and policy development.
- The development and implementation of a comprehensive plan to promote investment opportunities in the tourism sector.
- Destination marketing and promotion for both leisure and business events.
- The enhancement of visitor experience in collaboration with tourist-facing entities.
- The management of regulatory affairs, including the swift and efficient execution of all tourism licenses and similar services.
Citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates do not require a visa to visit Qatar and may use National Identity Cards to enter the country. Citizens of all the European Union nations ( except Ireland), plus the Bahamas, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Norway, Seychelles, Switzerland, and Turkiye are granted a free multiple entry visa waiver on arrival, provided they arrive through Hamad International Airport, have a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months and a confirmed onward or return ticket. Visa waivers are valid for 180 days from the date of issuance, and entitle its holder to spend up to 90 consecutive days in Qatar. Citizens of Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Georgia, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Macedonia, Kong, India, Ireland, Russia, UK, USA, may obtain a visa waiver upon arrival for 30 days from the date of issuance. This waiver may be extended for a further thirty days.
Citizens of Pakistan can obtain a visa on arrival valid for 30 days, provided that they hold a passport valid for 6 months, QAR 5000 in cash or a major credit card, and a confirmed return ticket.
Regardless of nationality, travelers who are in transit through Hamad International Airport do not require a visa if they depart within 24 hours and remain within the airport. Free transit visas, which are valid for up to 96 hours (4 days) and allow travelers to briefly visit Qatar, are also issued to all passengers of any nationality transiting through Hamad International Airport, provided that they travel with Qatar Airways.
City Centre is currently the largest mall in Qatar and has many stores to choose from. Other malls include Landmark (has a Marks & Spencer store), Hyatt Plaza (becoming a lot better), The Mall (is OK), Royal Plaza and Villagio (owned by the same company that owns Landmark and is home to Virgin, The One and is ranked one of the best malls in the world by Forbes). All of these malls have a huge variety of stores.
Blue Salon has huge sales twice a year where you can pick up Armani, Valentino, and Cerruti suits for half price. There are many things to buy here but be wary of cheap pearls as they may not be real. There are many good tailors in Qatar and it is a good place to have clothes made to measure and copied.
The souqs in the center of Doha also have a lot to offer, although the goods are usually of cheaper quality than those of the malls. Prices are usually negotiable, so practice your bargaining skills. Souq Waqif (The Standing Souk) is the most interesting of the souqs; it was recently renovated to look as it did 50 or 60 years ago. You can buy anything from a turban (dishdasha/thobe, traditional dress for men) to a pot large enough to cook a baby camel in! It is being expanded to 10 times its current size due to its popularity.
Qatar has seemingly endless options for food, much of it excellent. If you would like European cuisine in a fancy setting, visit a hotel like the Ramada or the Marriott, both of which also offer excellent sushi and the choice of having drinks with your meal (the only restaurants in town that can do this are in the major hotels), but at a steep price. Authentic and delicious Indian and Pakistani food is found throughout the city, ranging from family-oriented places to very basic eateries catering to Indian and Pakistani workers. You may attract some curious stares in the worker eateries, but the management will almost always be extremely welcoming, and the food is very inexpensive.
For excellent and truly authentic Thai cuisine, try either Thai Twin (near the Doha Petrol Station and the computer souqs) or Thai Snacks (on Marqab St.), and be sure to sample the delicious spicy papaya salad at either location, but be careful, if you ask them to make it spicy, expect for it to burn.
Middle Eastern cuisine is everywhere as well, and in many forms—kebabs, breads, hummus, the list goes on. It can be purchased on the cheap from a take-out (many of which look quite unimpressive but serve awesome food) or from a fancier place, like the wonderful Layali (near Chili’s in the ‘Cholesterol Corner’ area) that serves gourmet Lebanese food and has hookahs with flavored tobacco. Refined Persian cuisine is available for reasonable prices in the royally appointed Ras Al-Nasa`a Restaurant on the Corniche (don’t miss the cathedral-like restrooms).
Education City is a new project in Doha funded by the Qatari Government through the Qatar Foundation. It is the home to Qatar Academy, the Learning Centre, the Academic Bridge Program (similar to a college prep school), as well as branch campuses of Texas A&M University (Engineering) , Weill Cornell Medical College (Medical) , Virginia Commonwealth University (Arts and Communication), Carnegie Mellon University (Business and Computer Science), Georgetown University (School of Foreign Service), and the latest addition to the fold, Northwestern University (Journalism) and Faculty of Islamic Studies [www.qfis.edu.qa] all located in Education City to the east of Doha in the Rayyan area.
In addition to this Education City is home to the Qatar Science and Technology Park, one of the only places in the Middle East undertaking research and development initiatives. The location of so many academics and students is very appealing for research-focusedorganizations.
The College of the North Atlantic (based in Newfoundland, Canada), also maintains a campus in Doha in the northern section of the city, near the local Qatar University. The University of Calgary (Nursing) is also in Qatar.
School places Finding school places is a headache for many expats looking to relocate their family to Qatar. Qatar offers numerous curricula to follow including American, English, French, and Spanish.
The summer season in Qatar starts in June and goes on till August. The summer temperature will hover around 40-41 degrees Celsius in the daytime. There’s hardly any rainfall during summer in Qatar, but humidity reaches between 40 and 60%. Drink lots of water to avoid dehydration and heat exhaustion. Take proper precautions for the sun, including clothing that covers your skin and use of sunscreen
Respect the Islamic beliefs of Qataris and Bedouins: While there is no legal requirement to wear the hijab, women shouldn’t wear tube tops and skimpy outfits. Technically there is no strict rule and women are free to dress as they feel, but be prepared for some hostility especially from locals as it is frowned upon. In general, the covering up of the shoulders, thighs, and abdomen is appropriate for both genders – tank tops, spaghetti straps, or excessively small shorts are likely to garner unwanted attention. It is acceptable for any nationality to wear the traditional Qatari clothes, the thobe.
If you’re dining with a Qatari, don’t expose the bottoms of your feet to him/her. Don’t eat with your left hand either, since the left hand is seen as the ‘dirty hand’. Similarly, don’t attempt to shake hands or hand a package with your left hand.
If your Qatari friend insists on buying you something—a meal or a gift—let him! Qataris are extremely hospitable, and typically there are no strings attached. It is generally a custom to argue for the bill.
In a nut and shell, Qatar is a worth seeing place and Pakistani people must visit Qatar to enjoy its hospitality, development, and economic progress.
