Qatar Tourism announces over two dozen new tourist facilities ahead of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
The developments are also part of the country’s plans to attract six million visitors a year by 2030
Ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Qatar Tourism has announced new tourism attractions, hotels and resorts that will be open to visitors.
The tourism body noted, this unprecedented year of development represents a major milestone in Qatar’s emergence as a tourist destination, with the country seeking to welcome six million visitors a year by 2030.
“2022 has been an extraordinary year in Qatar with so many major new hotel and tourism openings. From shopping malls to beach clubs, museums to theme parks, there are now activities and experiences in Qatar for every type of traveller, from every nation, and to suit every budget. With more than one million fans expected to visit for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, we’re proud to be able to offer a true breadth of experiences and entertainment beyond our stadiums, fan festivals and matches,” said Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, Berthold Trenkel.
In early October 2022, JLL signed an agreement with a Qatar real estate brokerage to boost property investments, while, a week later, Bevan Farmer was elevated to Head of Qatar at Addleshaw Goddard.
Highlighting the entertainment options, Qatar Tourism discussed: Al Maha Island; Lusail Winter Wonderland and Lusail Boulevard; Qetaifan Island North; Corinthia Yacht Club and West Walk.
Commenting on Lusail Bolevard, Qatar Tourism said the shopping, commercial and residential area is set to become the Champs-Élysées of the Middle East, with the open-air, climate-controlled boulevard offering a vast range of experiences. Lusail Boulevard is set to open in time for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – with three-day family friendly festival, which will run from 3-5 November 2022, featuring headline concerts, shows and DJs, the tourism body stated.
A number of new beaches & beach clubs will also open according to Qatar Tourism including: the West Bay North Beach Project; West Bay Beach; B12 Beach Club Doha; DOHASANDS Beach Club; 974 Beach Club; La Mar Beach Club and Makani Beach Club.
In mid-October 2022, Knight Frank predicted that Qatar’s hospitality sector would grow by 89% by 2025.
From an arts & culture standpoint, Qatar Tourism said the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) re-opend to the public on 5 October 2022, following a year-long facilities enhancement project. The re-imagination of its permanent collection of over 1,000 objects will create a new visitor-focused layout and storyline, allowing the museum to showcase its world-renowned exhibits as never before. Aimed at families with children, the new galleries at MIA include hands-on experiences and activities, it said.
With regards to shopping, Qatar Tourism shone a light on Printemps Doha and noted that the opening marked the first opening for the Parisian department store brand outside of France.
The tourism body also highlight the opening/imminent opening of no less than 13 hotel and resort facilities including: Fuwairit Kite Beach; The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island; Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha; The Outpost Al Barari; Rixos Qetaifan Island North Doha; Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay; Waldorf Astoria Doha Lusail; The Ned Doha; The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort; Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha; the Rosewood Doha; Katara Hills LXR Hotels and the DoubleTree by Hilton Doha Downtown.
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Qatar Tourism said the new offerings build on a wave of several other tourism related facilities for visitors throughout 2022.
March witnessed the opening of 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, the world’s most sophisticated modern museum dedicated to sport. The following month the extravagant shopping mall Place Vendôme opened its doors, featuring over 500 stores and an entertaining dancing fountain display. The Le Royal Méridien Doha hotel was then blended seamlessly into the new French-inspired mall this summer, it said.
This year also saw other hotel openings such as the region’s largest wellness resort: Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som and the Pullman Doha West Bay that opened in August, the tourism body pointed out.
In 2021 there were lots of other exciting openings, Qatar Tourism added. The theme park Quest Doha launched with over 30 rides including the world’s tallest indoor rollercoaster, and the world’s tallest indoor shot & drop tower. The luxury five-star Banyan Tree Doha opened with five dining options and a Rainforest Hydrotherapy spa. The Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas also opened its doors with 3.5km of private beaches, and the Desert Falls Water and Adventure Park, one of the largest theme parks in the Middle East, opened with 28 slides and rides, it concluded.
