Qatar launch brand new annual shopping festival

The Qatar Tourism Authority, in an effort to boost tourist inflow into the country, has announced the launch of a new shopping festival named ‘Shop Qatar.’

The event’s first edition, under the slogan ‘A Brand New Tradition,’ will run from January 7 to February 7 and will offer mega discounts on popular brands, cash prizes of up to QR4m and special offers on flights and hotel bookings.

The event will also boast of entertainment activities including Cats the Broadway musical, live music concerts and 15 stand-up comedy acts.

The festival, which aims to target regional visitors, will offer discounts of up to 50% on a range of consumer goods including clothes, electronics, cosmetics and accessories for men, women and children.

The newly-opened Mall of Qatar, Ezdan Mall, Hyatt Plaza, Al Khor Mall, Lagoona Mall, Gulf Mall, Landmark, Dar Al Salam Mall, The Gate and The Pearl-Qatar will be a part of the celebrations.

In a move to support local entrepreneurs, Shop Qatar will also feature local products designed by students of Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar and other local designers. They will be on display at a variety of pop-up stores throughout the participating malls.

For the fashion conscious, there will be several make-up tutorial sessions throughout and a fashion show at the end.

Tourists arriving in Qatar during the time will also get to enjoy attractive travel packages in association with Qatar Airways and several major hotels. Between January 7 and February 7, Qatar Airways will offer a 25% discount on all tickets to Doha from the GCC region.

Cats, the longest-running show on Broadway, will show from February 1 to 4 at the Qatar National Convention Centre.

Tickets for the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical can be purchased at Virgin Megastores from QR150 onwards.

Two concerts featuring Arab and Khaliji singers be held on January 20 and January 27. The tickets will cost QR120 to QR1,250 each.

The Doha Comedy Festival will return (February 2 to 4) with a slew of Arab and international comedians.

Visitors can also enjoy the great winter weather by visiting the Magical Festival Village, located right next to the Katara Cultural Village. Run and operated by Ezdan World, it will have over 400 shopping outlets, dozens of cafes and restaurants.

Shoppers who spend QR200 at any of the participating retailers will enter a weekly raffle draw at Mall of Qatar for a chance to win cash prizes worth up to QR4m. Draws will be held on the first three Fridays of the Festival — January 13, 20 and 27.

The mega draw for the QR1m jackpot will be on the final day of Shop Qatar — February 7.

To know more, visit www.shopqatar.qa