- With the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM Ultimate and Qatar Nationwide Day wrapped up in a single historic day of celebrations, Qatar Tourism takes a nostalgic look at the primary and newest additions to a few of the nation’s most well-known touristic landmarks, in recognition of all Qatar has achieved, on and off the pitches.
From its humble, culturally wealthy origins as a pearling nation, at the moment, Qatar is firmly set on the world tourism map and is ready to change into the area’s quickest rising tourism vacation spot by 2030.
Though nonetheless firmly rooted in its distinctive heritage and tradition, speedy financial development in Qatar over the previous few a long time has seen a flurry of infrastructure spring from the encompassing desert, resulting in the suite of world-class inns and hovering skyscrapers that the nation is now globally famend for.
Preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ match have ushered in a very spectacular program of recent inns, public seashores, and malls in recent times, making its leisure and hospitality panorama nearly unrecognisable from the handful of authentic inns and malls to open a number of a long time earlier.
In celebration of the nation’s journey from its first mall to internet hosting the world’s largest sports activities match, Qatar Tourism takes a nostalgic look at a few of the nation’s first leisure locations, together with inns, museums, and parks, and how these have developed to the current day.
Haya Al Noaimi, Head of the Promotions Sector, Qatar Tourism mentioned: “Over the previous few a long time, Qatar has been on an unimaginable journey. From the small variety of authentic 5-star inns within the 1970’s and 1980’s, at the moment there are limitless choices that span the size and breadth of the nation. World-class belongings, a secure atmosphere, and a number of household pleasant actions make Qatar an ideal selection for vacationers of all preferences, and completely poised to satisfy its objective of welcoming six million guests a yr by 2030.”
First Resort
Then: Gulf Resort (1973)
Almost fifty years in the past, Qatar’s first 5-star lodge opened to the general public. The Gulf Resort’s distinctive, brutalist structure was one in all Doha’s most simply identifiable buildings, and set the usual for the nation’s lodge business, which might broaden at spectacular tempo over the approaching a long time.
Now: Rixos Gulf Resort Doha (2022)
Opened in 2022, Rixos Gulf Resort Doha is Qatar’s first all-inclusive luxurious resort and is situated throughout the authentic Gulf Resort constructing. A reimagining of its older ‘brother,’ this spectacular new seashore resort affords state-of-the-art amenities and beautiful views of the Doha skyline.
First Museum
Then: Qatar Nationwide Museum (1975)
Qatar’s museums have acquired worldwide acclaim for his or her recent tackle Center Jap museology, and the bar was nicely and really set when Qatar Nationwide Museum opened in 1975. Now referred to as the Nationwide Museum of Qatar, it’s an ode to the nation’s heritage and tradition. As we speak, the constructing has been refreshed to resemble a desert rose and is a very beautiful addition to Doha’s skyline.
Now: 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports activities Museum (2022)
Since 1975, Qatar’s suite of museums has swiftly elevated. One of many newest additions is the fascinating 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports activities Museum, a enjoyable, extremely interactive worldwide hub for sports activities historical past and information, that launched earlier this yr. Three new museums, Artwork Mill, Lusail Museum and Qatar Auto Museum have additionally been introduced for completion by 2030.
First College
Then: Qatar College (1977)
Qatar’s first increased training establishment opened its doorways to college students in 1977, signalling the start of the nation’s tutorial journey. Rigorously centered on tutorial analysis, Qatar College affords the nation’s broadest vary of packages, with quite a few Bachelor’s and Grasp’s levels supplied throughout eleven faculties.
Now: Training Metropolis (2022)
Because the 1970’s, Qatar has closely invested in constructing a globally aggressive, knowledge-based economic system. Qatar Basis’s really spectacular Training Metropolis campus, an intensive, standalone 12sq km web site, is house to satellite tv for pc campuses of varied internationally famend universities, home-grown institutions, and cutting-edge analysis amenities.
First Park
Then: Al Muntazah Park (1980)
The place of fond childhood recollections for a lot of, Al Muntazah Park is regarded as the oldest public park in Qatar. Now renovated to Rawdat Al Khail park (2022), its lush inexperienced areas, youngsters play areas and out of doors train tools make it a very common place for a morning go to.
Now: Speedy Beautification (Since 2019)
Since 2019, Ashghal’s expansive Beautification Mission has seen in extra of 11 million sq. metres of lush inexperienced areas created throughout the nation, along with greater than 900 thousand timber. A powerful 11 public parks have been opened throughout this time, together with the ideally situated 5/6 Park, vibrant Field Park, and Al-Gharafa Household Park, which comprises Qatar’s first air-conditioned strolling observe.
First Procuring Mall
Then: The Mall (1997)
The Mall Procuring Complicated, Qatar’s first shopping center, opened within the late 1990’s. Its heat, homely atmosphere and handy combination of shops, meals courts and leisure shops made it an instantaneous hit with Doha’s thrifty customers. As we speak, it’s nonetheless one of many metropolis’s hottest malls, and a buying staple for households.
Now: Place Vendôme, Printemps (2022)
2022 has seen some banner additions to the nation’s already-vibrant buying scene. September and October noticed the arrival of the primary Printemps division retailer outdoors of France, and the exquisitely designed Place Vendôme mall. Each are already a few of the metropolis’s most sought-after spots for luxurious buying, and Vendôme’s well-known dancing fountains are a daily focus for celebrations.
First Public Seaside
Then: Naturally Stunning Seashores
Qatar’s beautiful shoreline, crystal clear waters and powder-soft sands supply guests a few of the area’s most naturally lovely, and distinctive, seashores. Nestled amongst the mangroves of Purple Island, Al Khor Seaside is house to 1000’s of vegetation that flip the water a surprising shade of purple when in full bloom, while the uncommon limestone formations of Zekreet Seaside make for one of many nation’s most scenic tenting spots.
Now: West Bay Seashores (2022)
November 2022 noticed the opening of Qatar Tourism’s hotly anticipated West Bay Seashores, the place three separate seashores, B12, West Bay Seaside and Doha Sands run the size of Doha’s shoreline. Though all seashores are household pleasant, centrally situated, and inexpensive, they every supply a distinctly totally different look and really feel.
First Skyscraper
Then: Pinnacle Residences (1995)
It’s tough to think about Doha with out its visually arresting skyscrapers. Standing at 387 toes, the Pinnacle Residence house block, which opened within the mid 1990’s, was comparatively small by up to date Center Jap requirements however marked the start of the capital’s swift ascension into the skies.
Now: Fairmont Doha and Raffles Doha; The Ned (2022)
The Fairmont and Raffles Doha are two luxurious inns face one another in fantastically imposing constructions that stand at a powerful 692 toes tall. Fairmont Doha is a masterclass in design, and can characteristic the world’s tallest chandelier, whereas the suite-only Raffles Doha encompasses a spell-binding entrance and providing a private butler service. It additionally homes the primary worldwide debut of the fine-dining restaurant, ‘Alba’ by world-renowned chef, Enrico Crippa, which presents delectable white truffles which can be solely present in Alba, Italy.
Additionally debuting within the area is The Ned, which opened final month alongside the calming waters of the Doha Corniche waterfront. The lodge and unique member’s membership marks the model’s third worldwide enlargement, following London and New York, and is itself a change of the previous Ministry of Inside constructing in Qatar.
First Water Park
Then: Aqua Park (2010)
The nation’s first water park opened in 2010, providing guests a large wave pool, a lazy river journey and numerous thrilling slides. As we speak, it’s nonetheless one in all Qatar’s hottest spots for adrenaline-fuelled enjoyable.
Now: Desert Falls Water & Journey Park (2020)
One of many largest theme parks within the Center East, Desert Falls Water & Journey Park will be discovered within the coronary heart of the Hilton Salwa Seaside Resort & Villas. Providing 25 rides, slides, and points of interest, together with the white-knuckle King Cobra slide, this park is a should for the nation’s thrill seekers.
Meryal Water Park, which is able to characteristic the world’s tallest waterslide, can be set to open in 2023.
First Buildings in The Pearl-Qatar
Then: Cugini (2008)
As we speak, The Pearl-Qatar, a man-made island with ten areas impressed by Mediterranean cities, is synonymous with luxurious buying, fabulous delicacies, and high-end dwelling. In 2008, the island noticed its first buying outlet, Saudi Arabian-owned Cugini, open to the general public within the Porto Arabia boardwalk, which might pave the way in which for speedy enlargement throughout the island.
Now: Corinthia Yacht Membership (2022)
Qatar’s wealthy seafaring previous has discovered a proud trendy house within the Corinthia Yacht Membership, which has not too long ago opened in The Pearl-Qatar. The newly minted, invitation-only personal members membership is ready on the banks of Porto Arabia’s glistening seafront and can reinforce the island’s place as a haven for yachting lovers.
First Main Sporting Match
Then: Qatar ExxonMobil Open (Since 1993)
Qataris are, famously, avid sports activities lovers and have been internet hosting main sporting occasions for many years. The nation’s worldwide sports activities internet hosting journey started with the Qatar ExxonMobil Open tennis match in 1993, which has been held yearly in Doha ever since.
Now: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ (2022)
Twelve years of boundless creativeness, resilience and sheer teamwork since profitable the bid has led to the small however mighty Qatar having the privilege of internet hosting the biggest sporting occasion on the planet. Eight glistening, architecturally magnificent stadiums, every with their very own story to inform, have been constructed and ready for the match, a few of which is able to remodel into group areas after it has ended, together with hospitals, colleges, and retailers.
There’s loads to rejoice this yr in Qatar. Nevertheless, the nation’s well-defined and research-based tourism technique will see Qatar’s wealthy pipeline of leisure and hospitality choices broaden to 2030, and past.
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For media-related inquiries, please contact Qatar Tourism’s Press Workplace on:
pressoffice@visitqatar.qa
About Qatar Tourism
Qatar Tourism’s mission is to determine Qatar as a place the place cultural authenticity meets modernity, and the place individuals of the world come collectively to expertise distinctive choices in tradition, sports activities, enterprise and household leisure, rooted in Service Excellence. Qatar Tourism will regulate and develop the tourism business, encouraging funding from the personal sector. It’ll set the nationwide technique for the tourism sector, reviewing it periodically and overseeing its implementation, with the intention of diversifying tourism choices within the nation and growing customer spend. By means of our community of worldwide places of work in precedence markets, and cutting-edge digital platforms, Qatar Tourism is increasing Qatar’s presence globally and enhancing the tourism sector.
Net: www.visitqatar.qa
