Desert Falls
Doha: With the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final and Qatar National Day wrapped up in one historic day of celebrations, Qatar Tourism takes a nostalgic look at the first and latest additions to some of the country’s most famous touristic landmarks, in recognition of all Qatar has achieved, on and off the pitches.
From its humble, culturally rich origins as a pearling nation, today, Qatar is firmly set on the world tourism map and is set to become the region’s fastest growing tourism destination by 2030.
Preparations for the Qatar 2022 have ushered in a particularly impressive programme of new hotels, public beaches, and malls in recent years, making its leisure and hospitality landscape virtually unrecognisable from the handful of original hotels and malls to open a few decades earlier.
Inland Sea
Qatar Tourism Head of the Promotions Sector, Haya Al Noaimi said: “Over the last few decades, Qatar has been on an incredible journey. From the small number of original 5-star hotels in the 1970’s and 1980’s, today there are endless options that span the length and breadth of the country. World-class assets, a safe environment, and a host of family friendly activities make Qatar a perfect choice for tourists of all preferences, and perfectly poised to meet its goal of welcoming six million visitors a year by 2030.”
Nearly 50 years ago, Qatar’s first 5-star hotel opened to the public — the Gulf Hotel and now has been turned into Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha which is Qatar’s first all-inclusive luxury resort and is located within the original Gulf Hotel building.
Qatar’s museums have received international acclaim for their fresh take on Middle Eastern museology, and the bar was well and truly set when Qatar National Museum opened in 1975. Now known as the National Museum of Qatar, it is an ode to the country’s heritage and culture.
Since 1975, Qatar’s suite of museums has swiftly increased, latest of which is the fascinating 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports Museum. Three new museums, Art Mill, Lusail Museum and Qatar Auto Museum have also been announced for completion by 2030.
Fairmont Doha
Qatar’s first higher education institution opened its doors to students in 1977. Rigorously focused on academic research, Qatar University offers the country’s broadest range of programmes.
Since the 1970s, Qatar has heavily invested in building a globally competitive, knowledge-based economy. Qatar Foundation’s truly impressive Education City campus, an extensive, standalone 12sq km site, is home to satellite campuses of various internationally renowned universities, home-grown establishments, and cutting-edge research facilities.
The place of fond childhood memories for many, Al Muntazah Park is thought to be the oldest public park in Qatar and has been renovated to Rawdat Al Khail Park.
Since 2019, Ashghal’s expansive Beautification Project has seen in excess of 11 million square metres of lush green spaces created across the country, in addition to more than 900 thousand trees.
The Mall Shopping Complex, Qatar’s first shopping mall, opened in the late 1990’s. This year, 2022 has seen some banner additions with the arrival of the first Printemps department store outside of France, and the exquisitely designed Place Vendôme mall.
November 2022 saw the opening of Qatar Tourism’s hotly anticipated West Bay Beaches, where three separate beaches, B12, West Bay Beach and Doha Sands run the length of Doha’s shoreline.
The Fairmont and Raffles Doha are two luxury hotels face each other in beautifully imposing structures that stand at an impressive 692 feet tall. Also debuting in the region is The Ned, which opened last month along the calming waters of the Doha Corniche waterfront.
The country’s first water park opened in 2010 called Aqua Park. And one of the largest theme parks in the Middle East, Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park can be found in the heart of the Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas.
Meryal Water Park, which will feature the world’s tallest waterslide, is also set to open in 2023. Today, The Pearl-Qatar, a man-made island is synonymous with luxury shopping, fabulous cuisine, and high-end living. In 2008, it saw its first shopping outlet, Saudi Arabian-owned Cugini, open to the public which would pave the way for rapid expansion across the island.
Qatar’s rich seafaring past has found a proud modern home in the Corinthia Yacht Club, which has recently opened in The Pearl-Qatar.
Qataris are, famously, avid sports lovers and have been hosting major sporting events for decades. The country’s international sports hosting journey began with the Qatar ExxonMobil Open tennis tournament in 1993, which has been held annually in Doha ever since.
