(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) The pioneering Desert Caravan Challenge kicked off on Friday, with 18 ambitious participants who undertook the 15 km endurance ride in the north-west of Qatar.
The Challenge which was launched by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) in celebrations of National Sports Day 2014 has received 460 submissions from males and females alike from a variety of nationalities. 36 were selected to participate, 18 of which have successfully kicked off the first challenge on Friday. In the perfect merger of culture, sport and tourism, QTA has announced that it is reviving the age-old Arab tradition of the desert caravan. In celebration of National Sports Day 2014, two caravans each will undertake a 15 km endurance ride in the north-west of Qatar
The ride began at the famous Al Zubarah Fort, winding its way through the scenic deserts cape for 3-4 hours before ending again at the same location. The participants have lived an authentic experience in the perfect merger of culture and sports and got to experience the gracious Qatari hospitality at the camps. 18 more participants are set to undertake the second caravan challenge tomorrow Saturday, February 8th.
The Desert Caravan Challenge builds a strong tourism offering into the occasion of National Sports Day, which is celebrated on the second Tuesday of February each year. QTA's objective is to demonstrate the use of existing Qatari assets to build new touristic assets and offer a truly authentic Qatari experience to attract international tourists.
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