(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Raynald C Rivera / The Peninsula
The ongoing annual Shop Qatar festival, which returns for the third year with longer duration and wider offerings, helps bolster the country's retail and hospitality sectors and promote Qatar as a shopping destination, say participants.
Organised by the National Tourism Council (NTC), this edition of the festival has witnessed the participation of 14 retail partners and 55 hotels across the country offering big discounts and attractive promotions in addition to over QR3m in cash and cars prizes.
'It opens the country to newer markets in the region; more and more customers are shopping due to the extension of sales and promotions. Qatar is becoming the new destination for the retail sector, Fahim Matabdin, Marketing Manager at Al Mana Malls, the company which operates Mirqab Mall, told The Peninsula.
Marking its inaugural participation, majority of brands in Mirqab Mall are taking part in the festival which Matabdin expects to drive further brand awareness for Mirqab Mall as a world class community mall in the heart of Doha. 'We have had a double digit growth on footfall versus previous week and are continuing to see the growth on a daily basis, he noted, adding the inaugural National Day Trade Festival which offered up to 90 percent discount was a great way to start Shop Qatar.
Matabdin finds the festival's newest feature the Design District, in which Mirqab Mall is also participating, a unique concept with eye catching look and feel and a great opportunity to showcase the mall further. He hails the festival as a fantastic initiative by the NTC whereby most of the malls in Qatar are collaborating with each other.
Muthukrishnan R, Mall Manager at Al Khor Mall, was of the same view with regard to the many advantages of NTC organizing the annual shopping festival. 'It's an excellent initiative from NTC; they are making a difference in the country's economy and helping us to promote doing business. I lived in four different GCC countries in the past; this is the only country I've seen the Tourism Council taking this much initiative and efforts to promote their country, said Muthukrishnan, hoping that the duration of Shop Qatar be made longer.
Around 80 brands in Al Khor Mall have joined in this edition of Shop Qatar which marks the third consecutive year the mall has taken part in Qatar's only nationwide shopping festival.
With the amazing offers, he expects more customer footfalls and boost in retailers' sales as customers spend more during this period which also contributes to the country's economy. Since the launch of the ongoing festival, there had been an increase in sales as well as footfalls due to this campaign, said Muthukrishnan, adding, 'Every year Al Khor Mall is the only mall which has issued a lot of raffle coupons to customers.
The first raffle draw was held last Thursday at Tawar Mall in which a total of QR200,000 in cash and two Jaguar cars were given away to nine lucky customers. Three more weekly draws will be held with the final draw at the closing ceremony on January 20 at Doha Festival City.
'We are honoured to be chosen to host the Shop Qatar closing ceremony for the third year in a row. We can't wait to see the amazing turnout for the sales offered by our retailers. We are happy to welcome everyone to come and enjoy the fun festivities we have planned for them, said Robert Hall, General Manager of Doha Festival City.
This year's Shop Qatar has seen record participation of 55 hotels whose unbeatable offers include discounted room nights, promotions at F & B outlets and health club services as well as free airport transfers. Sherif Sabry, Area General Manager of The Torch Doha, one of the participating hotels, agrees the festival helps in positioning Qatar as a shopping destination and promote the country's tourism sector in general.
Citing Qatar's strategic location connecting East to West through a well-respected airline Qatar Airways which currently flies to more than 150 destinations as well as having Doha International Airport with the huge capacity and unique facilities for passengers, Sabry said the festival is an opportunity for Qatar to seek tourists and shoppers by marketing itself as an end destination for tourists who are looking for quality vacation, sightseeing and shopping from the most luxurious brands which are found in Qatar market.
With Qatar having some of the largest malls among countries in the Middle East and most of the well-known international hotel chains with affordable rates, the festival is potentially a chance for increasing the number of travelers and become a shopping destination for worldwide travellers, he added. He said: 'Shop Qatar is indeed a great activity especially at this time of the year, during the festive season and school holidays which encourages families - locals and expats - in addition to visitors to shop more and avail all the promotion activities creating a healthy travel market.
In line with the festival, The Torch Doha offers special room rates with added discounts on spa treatment and weekly brunch prices.
Since The Torch Doha is connected to Villaggio mall with air-conditioned walkway, it has witnessed a year-on-year significant increase in bookers from emerging markets such as India and China, said Sabry.
Martin Kendall, General Manager of City Centre Rotana Doha, said he believes 'this third edition of Shop Qatar festival will attract more visitors from abroad, and will offer more opportunities for the retail and hospitality sector, and will be transforming Qatar to a leading destination for shopping tourism with all the elements that qualify for it, including top quality luxury accommodation, cultural attractions, family entertainment, festivals and events, as well as great shopping, dining and other leisure activities.
He praised Shop Qatar as one of the most popular festivals in the world with the quality of its entertainment programs, which attract a large number of visitors. 'The third edition of Shop Qatar festival, features a series of nationwide promotional offers, discounts, and entertainment and public celebrations, exciting events and festivities, encouraging residents and visitors to enjoy the authenticity of the experiences, said Kendall.
City Centre Rotana Doha offers 50 percent discount at Bodylines for the membership types as well as on the pool pass at Bodylines and on Friday Brunch at Olive Oil and Zeituna restaurants during the festival. 'We believe Shop Qatar festival will be a good platform to reach more people. The hotel will benefit greatly from this event, he said.
Hailing Shop Qatar carrying the collaborative spirit between NTC and public and private partners, Kendall said the festival is one of the many projects which support the hotel's efforts to diversify source markets and enrich its annual calendar of events.
'Shop Qatar 2019 is designed to appeal to an international audience, leveraging the country's new status as the most open country in the region, he added.
Mustapha Henini, General Manager of Fraser Suites Doha, said Shop Qatar is a great start to the season's festivities.
'It's the third successful edition which is bigger, better and grander than ever before. It is a fabulous opportunity for both residents in Qatar and visitors alike to enjoy and indulge, he said. Henini said he expects Shop Qatar to boost trade activities in the country, encourage the residents to explore and to seek for entertainment and activities to engage with the whole family and to offer an opportunity to experience world class hospitality.
For the festival, Fraser Suites Doha is offering special deals to experience its room stays with airport transfers inclusive, spa treatments and special F & B packages in its restaurants.
On how the festival benefits the hotel sector, he said: 'Of course this is a great opportunity for us as hoteliers to showcase and boast about Qatar's guest experience-driven hospitality. Shop Qatar opens doors for residents to experience the local tourism sector. Be it a day-cation or a weekend stay-cation, residents of Qatar could opt from a middle class hotel to a luxury resort to unwind.
Asked on how the festival helps in positioning Qatar as a shopping destination and promoting the country's tourism, Henini said: 'Qatar is already a landmark being one of the countries who has free visa for more than 80 nationalities. This would be a great opportunity to those travelers and to travelers who are on a stopover on the way to or from their holiday destination to experience this hospitable nation, world class shopping experience and to get a world class showcase of Qatari culture and traditions.
Ammar Samad, Hotel Manager of The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa expressed appreciation for NTC's efforts in supporting the tourism sector by organizing the third edition of Shop Qatar festival, which, he considers of great importance for the hotels to receive visibility.
'The festival supports our goal to promote our hotel rooms, Heavenly Spa and signature restaurants such as Sabai Thai and Hunters Room & Grill where guests are welcome to explore our award-winning cuisine and service excellence, said Samad.
The family package which allows guests to enjoy two rooms featuring the signature Heavenly Bed including breakfast at QR890 as well as discounts on F & B and spa treatments are among the promotions at Westin in line with the festival. Samad also appreciated NTC's move to expand its reach to international markets, saying, 'This will absolutely support us to showcase the Westin experience to a new audience around the world.
'Every year, each edition of Shop Qatar has attracted new interest among the international community by showcasing the remarkable variety of shopping experiences Qatar offers. We look forward to the future activities NTC will launch which will definitely accelerate the growth of tourism in Qatar and promote the country as a unique tourist destination, he said.
Chris K Franzen, General Manager of Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel & Villas finds it great to see the activities and offerings of the Shop Qatar festival expanding during its third addition.
'The Festival provides a multitude of events that are great for those looking for new activities for the family, there is really something for everyone. The festival is well organized and well promoted across the city, with many great partners involved in ensuring the festival's success, said Franzen. He said he expects this festival to be bigger and better than previous years, while lauding the addition of the ‘Design District' as well as more live concerts which keep the festival fresh and exciting.
Grand Hyatt Doha's special Shop Qatar offerings includes discounts on room rates, F & B outlets, beach and pool access rates and spa treatments.
'The festival gives hotels another platform to promote our property which in turn will increase footfall into the hotel. The vision of Shop Qatar festival is to increase the number of tourists and stand out as a family destination and a tourist attraction hub.
'Such festivals provide tourists with an additional reason to visit Qatar as there is plenty to keep them busy once they arrive. More tourists into Doha will always be positive for the hotel sector, said Franzen.
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