Visitors at the Magical Festival Village.
The Magical Festival Village along the Katara beach front has been attracting thousands of visitors since it opened doors to the public in January this year.
The European countryside-inspired design serves as a popular recreation-cum-shopping venue for families, tourists and children. The Magical Festival Village is situated in a 50,000 sqm area within Katara -- the Cultural Village and showcases up to 400 retail outlets, including 357 shops, 19 cafes and 20 restaurants with about 500 seats and chairs for the public. It also features a ‘Ladies Boulevard’, an entertainment venue occupied by 21 commercial outlets stretched over an area of 1,000 sqm. The village will be open to the public until April 30.
When The Peninsula visited the Magical Festival Village recently, it witnessed good sales during the weekends. Rebelen Tanquerido, Salesgirl at Goelia and Lily garments, said: “During the weekends, we have always been welcoming a huge number of customers and most of them are local buyers. On weekdays, we receive only around fifteen shoppers daily.”
Rossana Guiniling, cashier at Village Outlet, said: “At the end of the month and first week of the month, we receive a good number of customers. We sell garments, shoes and bags at reasonable prices. On weekdays, only three to four customers are willing to pay. Others mostly come for window-shopping.”
Saudi nationals are among the most frequent visitors and good buyers. A Saudi tourist, Muhammad told The Peninsula that the Magical Festival Village was among the most beautiful places to visit in Doha. "My family has found it very comfortable to enjoy shopping at the village. My sisters have been enjoying the Alice in the Wonderland café the most.”
Shahadat Husain, Sweet Journey salesman said: “Daily many kids buy toys from me mostly the balloons, balls, plastic toys and electric motorbikes and cars. On weekends, I usually make good money as most of the local families visit on weekends. I make more than QR1000 per day on weekends.”
Sand Art in glass bottle attracted a lot of people at the small stall. Mahmood Kinj, Sand Art artist at Magical Festival Village said: “I have a shop in Katara. I have received many Saudi tourists in past few days. Tourists have been amused by this art and we have done very good sales during these days.” At a Dubai brand ‘Venus’ of cosmetics and perfumes, an Emirati salesman said: “Since last month I have received a good number of Saudi tourists for shopping. The sale has been satisfactory throughout this year.”
