Tourism

Qatar continues its efforts to build up the sector of Tourism. For this reason Qatar Tourism Authority was established in early 2000 to draw up and promote the tourism industry and make Qatar a distinguished destination on the global tourist map. Life in Qatar had always been a story of sea and desert: Both were a source of livelihood despite all the hardships the Qataris faced.
Today, the sea and the desert are still the source of wealth and a destination for anyone looking for an enjoyable time from the hustle and bustle of modern day to day life.
The sea and desert are the backbone of tourism industry in Qatar: The sea with its calm beaches and its warm waters, the desert with its vista of endless stretches and marvels of nature.
Visitors to Qatar will notice the various facilities readily available the moment their plane lands at Doha airport which is only 8 km away from the center of the city.
Weather in Qatar is hospitable and temperatures are mild from November to May.
Surveys suggest that 80 per cent of the people living in Doha.
A tour through the wonderful places in the city will reflect the country´s cultural identity and its rapid development.
The Corniche is the lung of the city. People enjoy walking and jogging. Then a visit to the Doha bay is a must. This is where the traditional boats called BOOMS. A trip with the BOOMS to Al Safiliyah Island is an unforgettable adventure. Visitors can also spend a day on the sandy white beach or enjoy scuba diving and watch sea shells, corals and colored fish.
Qatar supports tourism sector to overcome obstacles. Today Qatar offers visitors from the globe a wide range of first class hotels and for the sports people a wide selection of arenas and golf clubs. The success of hosting the Asian games 2006 encouraged Qatar to call to organize the Olympic games 2016.
Shopping fans have plenty to choose in shopping centers and malls.
But a visit to old traditional markets in Doha is a unique experience. Doha thrives with many traditional souqs where visitors can discover the spirit of a truly oriental way of shopping. The Falconry market is worth visiting to have a look at the impressive falcons with their charm, beauty, and the imaginable prices paid for them. Next to the falconry shops stands the camel market. All over the place in the traditional souqs in Doha fill the air the exotic smells of spices, coffees mixed with cardamom and medicinal herbs. There are also shops sell handicrafts, oriental textiles, and glittering gold entice the visitor to have a look or haggle over prices.
At the end of the souqs tour you better enjoy a glass of tea mixed with rosewater, or a cup of Arabian or Turkish coffee with cardamom flavor while sitting back in one of traditional coffee shops scattered around the town.
Qatar airways operate from three German airports namely, Munich, Frankfurt and Berlin.

>> Related items:
hotels in Qatar
Historical Interest
Photos from qatar

Source: Foreign Information Agency
WWW.Qatarinfo.net