DOHA – Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) announced Tuesday that it has completed its preparations for the Eid Al Fitr Festival, a seven-day extravaganza that will begin on the first day of Eid. Various activities and entertainment shows have been lined up for children and all family members. Doha's shopping malls, which will be one of the main venues for the shows on display, will be ready to receive visitors at the start of the seven-day festival. QTA primarily seeks to boost Qatar's status in the region and around the world as an international tourist destination with deep cultural roots. In order to achieve this, QTA has partnered with many parties to develop the various offerings and services that Qatar provides to visitors. QTA's efforts to promote tourism and develop the tourism sector help add value to tourism stakeholders at home and abroad. Commenting on the imminent launch of the Eid Festival, QTA Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al-Mohannadi said: "At QTA we seek to present a civilized image of Qatar and highlight it as one of the leading tourism destinations on the local and international front through the various activities that we conduct. These are in line with Qatar's National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030." He added: "Our endeavors to develop the tourism sector in Qatar always drive us to build partnerships that raise the profile of this sector and contribute to the success of the various activities we organize, which attract local and regional attention and have so far been very successful." As part of the Eid Festival this year, QTA is teaming up with various entities to make it a memorable one. These include: the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage; Katara Cultural Village; Souq Waqif; The Pearl-Qatar; Qatar Shooting and Archery Association; Lusail Circuit; Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque; Al Dosari Zoo and the Game Reserve; Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum; Qatar Air Sports Committee; Sawt Al-Rayan; and Aqua Park Qatar. And the shopping malls participants are: Hyatt Plaza, City Center Doha, Landmark, Al Khor Mall, Lagoona Mall, and The Mall. Rashed Al Qurese, Executive Director of Marketing and Promotions at QTA, commented: "The Eid Festival is one of the most important events through which QTA promotes Qatar as a preferred holiday destination for families in all the countries of the region. We will therefore be launching a promotional campaign for the festival in the GCC countries in the weeks before the Eid." He added: "We try to take advantage of the Eid holiday to increase the number of regional visitors to Qatar. We will shed light on our culture and traditions as tourist attractions. The Eid Festival is aimed at motivating family tourism and providing entertainment and suitable activities for patrons of all ages." Last year's Eid festival was a big success, with more than 75,000 people visiting Qatar during the festival period. QTA made all preparations to receive citizens, residents, and visitors from across the region and to enable them to participate in the entertainment activities, games, and celebrations organized by QTA together with the supporting organizations during the festival. Dozens of cultural and entertainment activities suitable for all ages and preferences are scheduled for the seven-day event across Qatar. — SG
