Visitors take photos while enjoying the lively atmosphere at Souq Waqif. Pic: Amr Diab
Doha: To take back fond memories home having toured one’s dream destination is every traveller’s wish. It could be a postcard, painting, plate, perfume, spices, statues or any other home décor. No matter what it is as long as it could call forth the amazing places and people one met during the journey.
Qatar is one such place someone would not want to miss being there for its breath-taking sites, warm hospitality and authentic cuisine.
Having stunned the world with a spectacular sporting fiesta last year the Arabian state has become a must visit place for the global travel community.
The tourism industry anticipates over five million visitors to the state this year. According to tourism data 340,000 foreign travellers had visited Qatar during the first month this year recording a 295 percent year on year growth followed by 389,000 visitors in second month notching a staggering 406 percent increase from the same period last year.
Visitors taking a closer look at some of the eye-catchy and itching-to-buy items at the Souq Waqif yesterday spared some time to share their views on their stay in Qatar.
“This is my third visit to Qatar and will never fail to drop in to Souq, my favourite place for shopping,” said Sharon Hills from the UK making inquires at a gift shop. The Souq has been know as a market place for some of the exquisite goods ranging from fabric, pets, perfume and garden equipment, paintings and ornaments. It is also a place to shop, dine and explore or relax at an outdoor café after a hard-days work.
Tourists love paintings and photographs as a picture speaks thousand words. Visitors don not fail to drop in to grab a painting or two which makes me so happy,” said Bilal Al Dori an artist at Gallery Shanashel, Souq Waqif. Fabric, prayer beads, paintings, home decors and cosmetics stores spread between out-door cafes and restaurants at the Souq provide an ideal setting for the souvenir market at one of the preferred tourists locations in Qatar.
The Expo 2023 Doha Qatar, Formula 1-Qatar Grand Prix, The Geneva International Motor Show and the Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) conference are some of the events lined up for 2023 through which the tourism industry anticipates a large number of visitors to the country during the year.
