+ A
A -
CATHERINE W GICHUKI
DOHA
More fun and entertainment activities are in the pipeline for the people in Qatar as the Qatar Summer Festival (QSF) is set to be a longer affair this year.
Scheduled to kick off on June 25, depending on the first day of Eid al Fitr, the festival will run until September 5 this year. Last year, the festival was just a month-long affair from August 1 to 31.
Held under the theme 'Colour Your Summer', the more than two-month long festival will feature an array of activities.
Organised by Qatar Tourism Authority, the nation-wide festival will showcase the country's urban and family entertainment offerings in a big way, which are expected to boost the country's hospitality and retail sectors during an otherwise off-peak period.
However, the festival's shopping promotions will start on June 22 to allow shoppers to enjoy discounts as they prepare for Eid al Fitr.
The activities will be held in malls, Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC).
During Eid days, there will also be activities at Katara, Souq Waqif, Al Samriya Academy, Sheikh Faisal Museum, Aspire, and The pearl Qatar among other locations.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, QTA Director of Festival and Tourism Events Mashal Shahbik said a slight increase in the number of visitors to Qatar is expected this year.
The most important feature of this year's QSF will be delivered primarily by the private sector partners.
"We are also keen to engage the private sector in designing this edition, to encourage more creativity and competitiveness, especially in light of resounding success we witnessed at the Shop Qatar and Qatar International Food Festival held earlier this year."
She said this year's edition would also witness widest participation from the hospitality sector. As many as 77 hotels and hotel apartments are joining the festival, providing special offers to visitors and residents, representing a 37 percent increase on the previous editions of the festival.
Shahbik said QTA has launched Qatar Events Calendar, which brings together all important events happening in Qatar on a single website.
"All websites for QTA-organised festivals will be merged under this website," she said.
Shahbik thanked Qatar Chamber for its efforts in encouraging private sector to support tourism in Qatar.
QTA official Hamad AlKhaja said hotels and hotels apartments will offer exciting accommodation packages and visitors who book with QSF 2017 partners Discover Qatar or WeGo.com can benefit from special travel and accommodation offers.
The Entertainment City will be at DECC and this year it will feature more than 35 rides, an inflatable obstacle course, skill games, video games, live entertainment shows, 24 food court outlets and eight pop-up shop.
QSports is the first Qatari Company to fully organise and host the Summer Entertainment City.
Shopping promotions will take place in malls including Dar Al Salam, Ezdan, Gulf, Hyatt Plaza, Mall of Qatar, Lagoona Mall and Landmark Mall where retailers will offer up to 50 percent discount and for every QR200 spent one can enter a raffle draw.
There will be live entertainment, including stand-up comedy shows, at QNCC. American superstar comedian Marlon Wayans is expected to tickle the funny bones on June 27.
There will be music concerts featuring famous Arab and Khaleej singers brought to Qatar by Rotana Group.
For the first time in Qatar, video game players from the GCC will come together for a faceoff for the GCC Majors Competition at QNCC on June 30 and July 1. Entertainment City will also host the 4th International Mindsports Championship from August 19 to 27.
