Travel and culture of the country of Qatar



The country's strategic location has attracted visitors to the region for thousands of years.

Spend 48 hours in Qatar and let the country's harmonious blend of Arabian culture with modern luxury and innovation carry you away.With sprawling dunes in the south,  sandy coastlines and islets, reefs and salt flats, the small peninsular nation offers as much natural beauty as it does cultural richness. With a coastline of over 500 km, the community of Qatar has always been dedicated to the sea.

From a center for fishing and pearling trades in the days gone by, the identity of the country has been shaped by an age-old sea civilization.

Highlighting its authentic heritage and rich past, while instilling pride in its future, Qatar is a center of both tradition and innovation

The discovery of oil in the 1940s and natural gas in the 1970s gave rise to the economic growth of the country. The world's third largest gas reserves and the largest non-associated gas field can be found in Qatar. After becoming the largest exporter of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in the world in 2006, Qatar's exports now cover three continents with one-third of exports going to the US, one-third to Europe and one-third to Asia. Diversification in recent years in the fields of construction and real estate investment, tourism and leisure, education and research as well as ample government support to minimize the impact of a global economic slowdown have resulted in the stability of the economy. There has been a surge in interest in the Arabian Gulf.

The unique atmosphere of Qatar makes it feel as though you are off the beaten path, even though it is accessible by air on most international carriers.

The emerging destination for meetings and incentives. Ranked as a leading destination in the Gulf region for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, Qatar offers travelers a business-oriented destination combined with leisure activities.

You can find all the facilities and business opportunities at your fingertips in a place that is far from bustling mass tourism.

There are two new conference centers with an additional area of 95,000 sq.m.There are plans to open exhibition space.

A 2,500-seat auditorium, a 500-seat theatre, and a multi-purpose hall will be part of the Qatar National Convention Centre, which is scheduled to open in 2011.  In addition, 40,000 sq.m.The space will be available to meet the demands of global conference and exhibition organizers.

The convention center and tower in the city center will be a first class exhibition venue.

The project's tower will provide a new icon for the skyline. The Convention Center is close to the Tower.

h ere is showcase space.

Many of the world's top luxury hotels are located in the country.By 2012 there will be over 29,000 luxury rooms and apartments. Every five- and four-star hotel in Qatar has world-class conference facilities to cater to every type of meeting or conference event.

The hotels' luxurious spas, resort amenities and variety of exceptional dining experiences, steeped in the Arabian tradition, offer a quiet and relaxing respite from the charged activities of the day.

There is never a better time to visit Qatar.

The calendar has world-class cultural attractions, international sporting events and exciting activities for the whole family.

A new generation of filmmakers in the Gulf Region is being inspired by the Tribeca Film Festival, which is coming to Doha. Many local and regional art exhibitions can be found at the Waqif Art Center. The annual Jewelry and Watches Exhibition and the Doha Trade Fair are held at the spacious Doha Exhibitions Center. The Sony/Ericcson WTA Championship, the Commericalbank Qatar Masters Golf Tournament, the Moto GrandPrix, and the Speed Boat Racing are just some of the sports events that are hosted in Qatar World championship

The country's year-round attractions would not be complete without seeing them.

One of the largest and finest collections of pieces from one of the world's great civilizations can be found in the Museum of Islamic Art in the capital city of Doha.

For those looking for a truly genuine Arabian experience, the vast deserts of Qatar offer adventure through camel back safaris, exhilarating rides along the dunes and wonderful nights beneath the stars. Shoppers can get lost in the authentic Arabian souqs.

A wide range of well-known luxury brands and goods can be found in the city's contemporary shopping malls and along the piazza in the Pearl-Qatar development. The main venue for the 15th Asian Games is the ASPIRE Zone.

It is an impressive multi-purpose facility that offers both local and international visitors access to world-class sports facilities and activities, high-end retail shopping and luxurious green parks for relaxation and family enjoyment.

As a destination for travelers, as well as a center for business, education and research, Qatar has developed a solid infrastructure for progress and innovation, making it known not only as a destination for travelers, but also as a center for business, education and research.

Education City is an impressive undertaking which hosts six world-class universities, all branch campuses of prestigious international institutions.

A local home for technology-based companies from around the world is the Qatar Science and Technology Park. The birthplace of free speech in the Middle East, Qatar is home to Al Jazeera, an Arabic news channel which also has an English news channel.

Although the State of Qatar is emerging as a global leader in industry and tourism, the country is still a work in progress and is continually looking to the future as it expands upon its heritage.

The 'Heart of Doha' real estate development project is aimed at reviving the Qatari, Arab and Islamic architecture and strengthen the Islamic cultural renaissance that the country is currently leading.

Lusail is the largest real estate development in the world.  Lusail will cover over 35 sq. km.Up to 200,000 people will be accommodated in the area. 50 million passengers a year will use the New Doha International Airport once it opens in the next few years. Huge financial resources and energy have been dedicated to progressive and innovative development ideas and tools.

There is something for everyone in the country.

Business travelers looking for a break between meetings and backpackers eager for unique desert adventures to families hoping to relax on a luxurious beach.