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On mentioning Qatar, the first
thought that comes to mind is the
recent memory of the blockade
in 2017. However, within
minutes of landing at the world-class Hamad
International Airport, all apprehensions are laid
to rest watching the sheer number of passengers
landing and transiting, a clear signal of how the
State of Qatar has bounced back with vigour
making Doha an attractive travel proposition,
and its airport the hub for onward connections
into the Americas and the UK. The state-of-the-art
airport is a massive facility and a spacious
architecture marvel, a luxury for those cramped
for space.
The airport is just a minor introduction in the
world of royalty and luxury. With a surge in Indian
passengers and nationals working in Qatar, duty
free shops have started accepting the Indian
Rupee, negating the hassle of currency conversion.
On coming out from the airport, the first thing
that catches the eye is the dedicated Airport
Terminal built for the Royal family. Progressing
towards the city, the hotel proposition of Qatar
is on massive display with individual, family-owned
and global hospitality brands across
categories dotting Doha. This is a clear indication
that Qatar means serious travel business having
waived off visa requirement for nationals from
90 countries.
To delve deep into the history of the nation, a
visit to the National Museum of Qatar is an
apt move. The Museum offers a glimpse into
the civilisations from as far as China and India
that traversed to Qatar for trade purposes.
Having deployed virtual reality techniques, the Museum
showcases the old world of Qatar and its
wildlife – a perfect introduction to a first-time visitor to the State.
Walking through Souk Waqif is a journey
down the memory lane with Shisha lounges,
restaurants serving authentic Middle Eastern
cuisine, souvenir sellers and falcon shops dotting
the area. Souk Waqif seems like the last remains
in the old world while the country progress on
the path of modernisation. The area is highly
popular among tourists as well as business
visitors for unwinding and shopping during
evenings. It also houses The Village, an Indian
restaurant that serves à la carte meals, largely
from North India.
Qatar has set up a dedicated Council for
Tourism to chalk out measures to create an
exciting proposition for visitors with its line-up
of events, including music concerts, and the
global spectacle FIFA World Cup 2022. To host
the world audience, construction of six massive
stadiums is underway, with the biggest having
a capacity to accommodate 80,000 spectators.
Doha and the local Qatari population have
wholeheartedly opened their doors to welcome
expats to explore work opportunities as well
as world-class education. The Education City
of Qatar has partnered with 7 universities
in the US and the UK to offer courses of the
home campus. It is an initiative by the Qatar
Foundation for promoting education and
community development, and also houses the
National Library of Qatar, a repository of books
on subjects like religion, culture and politics.
The massive exhibition venues of Qatar
National Convention Centre (QNCC) (situated
on Qatar Foundation's campus) and Doha
Exhibition and Conference Center (DECC)
are under 20-minute drive from Doha Airport,
and offer the flexibility of choosing variety
of venues for business events. The DECC
offers connection to the Doha Metro for rapid
transit. Both venues are in close proximity of
accommodation facilities (hotels are just across
the street of DECC). These facilities have hosted
global trade exhibitions, large-scale weddings
and offer the convenience of using technology
to create graphical representations.
For shopping lovers, the Villaggio Mall is a
paradise of more than 200 international brands.
Built in Italian style, it also has a short canal
offering the pleasure of a gondola ride, and the
Gondolania Ice Hockey Rink.
For a true Middle-Eastern adventure, one can
dedicate half a day to dune bashing on the inland
sea of Khor Al Adaid. It a natural wonder with the
sea facing the golden desert, and establishments
have been set up for unwinding. Inaccessible by
road, this tranquil expanse of water can only be
reached by across the rolling dunes.
The Katara Culture Village (diagonally
opposite St. Regis Doha)
as the name suggests is a
tribute to art and culture,
housing an amphitheater
and exhibition halls to
display one's creativity.
It is also home to the
Saffron Lounge which
serves Indian cuisine with
traditional flavours.
disha.shah@saffronsynergies.in
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