(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Raynald C Rivera / The Peninsula
Home-based business owners taking part in the Museum of Islamic Art Park bazaar, a weekend market which opened last week for this season, are optimistic it will attract more residents as well as tourists with Qatar's efforts to boost tourism.
This year, the bazaar generated a lot of interest from home-based businesses as evidenced by a huge increase in the number of participants, from around 150 last season to 250 stalls this year.
'We started with very good business last week, perhaps because people were excited a months-long break. For this season, we expect more tourists because of Qatar Tourism Authority's efforts to attract more visitors to the country with improved tourist visa policies, Kaleem Ahmed told The Peninsula yesterday.
A professional photographer, Ahmed has been taking part in the bazaar for the third time with his unique photo booth which offers visitors a chance to be photographed in traditional Qatari clothing in an Arabic Majlis setting.
Ahmed, who has joined the team which organises the bazaar, believes the bazaar is a significant addition to MIA's attractions during weekends.
'The bazaar certainly is a very good platform for us to market our products to augment our income, said Mohammed, a dealer of novelty items.
He was of the same view that the bazaar will attract more visitors despite the blockade as Qatar eases its tourist visa policies making it the most open in the region in terms of the number of countries which can avail of visa-free entry.
When launched in February 2012, the bazaar was held first Saturday of every month, except in summer. Later it was expanded to every Saturday and last year, started operating on Fridays and Saturdays.
With a vibrant variety of products sold in each stall, the bazaar is a melting pot of trade and tradition as vendors sell products, some of which are not available in the market and sourced from vendors' home countries.
The bazaar offers a wide array of items at cheap prices including toys, ready-to-wear clothes, shoes, bags, beauty products, jewellery and other accessories, home display items, art and craft pieces and ornamental plants, among others. In addition, several stalls offering henna and face painting are also available for visitors at the bazaar.
Visitors can also sample authentic Chinese, Indian, Turkish, Filipino, Thai and Egyptian cuisines as well as a wide selection of tea, coffee, and fresh juices and shakes at the bazaar at affordable prices.
'I have been looking forward to this bazaar since it offers many options for my family. The beautiful Museum of Islamic Art which is just located beside the bazaar makes it even worth the visit, said Martha, who was with her entire family at the bazaar yesterday.
With its vast area, the bazaar is a perfect venue for families to enjoy their weekends as temperatures begin to dip. At the moment the bazaar is open from 3pm to 10pm during Fridays and Saturdays, according to organisers.
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