USPs
It’s not only the prospect of Doha hosting the 2022 Fifa World Cup that is getting the world looking to the Qatari capital. Tucked away in the financial news during 2015 were reports of the Middle East’s first renminbi clearing centre being established in Qatar, giving financial institutions there access to China’s currency and foreign exchange markets. This opens the way for China’s goal of extending its economic clout and “New Silk Road” trading initiatives to the Gulf region.
Meetings are playing a pivotal role in Doha with 22 ICCA-recognised association events in 2014. Qatar Business Events has also been launched to win meeting bids. Global hotel brands are staking their claim with openings that include the Waldorf Astoria and Park Hyatt this year, and the JW Marriott and Le Meridien in 2017, joining Westin, St Regis and most recently the Shangri-La.
Venues
Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) – The Qatar Foundation not only sponsors Spanish soccer giants Barcelona FC, QNCC shares the foundation’s 2,500-acre campus with university faculties ranging from Weill Cornell, Texas A&M and Georgetown, to Sidra Medical and Research Center and a science and technology park.
Islamic Museum of Art – This unique venue is the flagship museum of the Qatar Museums authority and has corporate event facilities and space for outdoor events. All this is set amid a 280,000 sqm park – around the size of 39 soccer pitches.
Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre – More exhibitions are coming to Doha, and the DECC is ready with five vast, pillar-free halls, each of which can accommodate approximately 3,500 delegates. The venue is a few minutes from the Corniche waterfront and five-star hotels.
Connections
Hamad International Airport is home to the huge network of Qatar Airways, which flies to more than 150 key global cities, with many an average of seven hours away. The airport also boasts 138 check-in counters with the capacity to serve 30 million passengers a year. Delegates can also stay at the heart of the airport with an airside hotel, two airside squash courts, a gym, a 25m swimming pool and spa, all within easy reach of the departure gates. There is visa on arrival for 33 territories including Malaysia, Hong Kong and South Korea. Nationals not listed on the scheme must apply for a visa in advance.
Excursions
Museums – As well as the Museum of Islamic Art, other cultural attractions include the Msheireb Enrichment Centre, Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art, Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, Al Markhiya Gallery, Al Riwaq Doha, Souq Waqif Arts Center and the Doha Fire Station artists’ community.
Katara Cultural Village – This is purpose-built in a traditional architectural style with theatres, galleries and performance venues. The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra plays here and there is a wide choice of group dining options and a spacious public beach.
Al Zubarah – This world heritage site takes pride of place among Qatar’s historic landmarks and once ranked as
one of the Gulf’s most important pearl diving and trading centres. Other historic sites include the Barzan Towers,
Al Wajbah Fort, Al Koot Fort and the neolithic Al Jassasiya Rock Carvings.
