Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Qatar Airways hosted eight major high end UK tour operator product managers to explore and experience the culturally diverse Middle Eastern destination, Qatar.
Arriving on a Qatar Airways flight recently, representatives from Opodo, Carrier, Trailfinders, Travel Republic, Jewel in the Crown Holidays, Wexas, Travelpack and Abercrombie & Kent were escorted by QTA and Qatar Airways on a full four day packed itinerary, showcasing some of Qatar’s finest hospitality with state of the art leisure and business facilities for tourists and residents alike, its cultural heritage and contemporary 21st century skyline.
Director of Tourism, Abdullah Bader, commented: “We are delighted to welcome such a group of top international tour operators from the UK so that they can experience Qatar at first hand as we firmly believe, ‘Seeing is believing’. This trip is part of QTA’s international marketing strategy to raise awareness of the destination and all that it has to offer within the UK market, and grow the overall tourism industry by 20 percent in the next five years.”
The tour took in the 5-star luxury waterfront landmark, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. Coming soon to the hotel will be the internationally acclaimed Nobu restaurant, firmly putting Qatar on the international gourmet map. Breakfasting at the Rennaissance Doha City Centre Hotel, the group then visited Ash-Shahaniyah to witness camel racing practice with robots and then on to the Al Rayyan Racing and Equestrian Club, where some of the finest Arabian horses are bred in the region.
Next the group lunched at W Doha hotel where they were treated to Spice Market fusion delicacies. This was followed by a tour of Qatar’s cultural icon, the spectacular Museum of Islamic Art that houses some of the world’s finest Arabic Art collections and was designed by IM Pei, famous for his ultra modern wing of the Louvre in Paris.
Another gourmet experience to savour followed on at the Grand Hyatt hotel where fabled authentic Thai cuisine was served at Isaan restaurant.
Finally a glimpse into Qatar’s heritage with tea tasting and Shisha, visting the Falcons and soaking up the bartering atmosphere of the perfectly architectured Souq Waqif before returning to the Four Seasons Hotel. The next morning with breakfast en route, the highlight of the trip as the group went into the desert in style to experience dune bashing, with a stop at the fabled Inland Sea. Lunch was then hosted at the majestic St Regis Hotel, part of the luxury Al Gassar Resort near to West Bay, the commercial heart of the city. Nearby is Katara Cultural Village where the group stopped to look round Doha’s latest cultural centre with restaurants and leisure activities on the beach, followed by a tour of The Pearl-Qatar, arguably the most glamorous address in the region with its designer shopping and internationally known eaterie brands from some of the world’s top chefs.
The magical dhow cruise on a traditional Qatari boat topped the evening lit up to add to the ambience and offering the group unimaginable views of the shoreline from the sea. Dinner that night was hosted at Four Seasons and the next morning just one more breakfast delight awaited the group at the Sharq Village and Spa Hotel where Qatar’s rich heritage is combined with luxurious level of service.
The Peninsula
