*Shop Qatar 2018 to feature an array of shopping, fashion and entertainment events
An array of fashion and entertainment events across the country, with QR4mn cash prizes and eight BMW cars at stake, will take centre stage at the second edition of Shop Qatar from January 7 to February 7, 2018, it was announced.
The country's biggest shopping festival, themed ‘A Brand New Tradition,' will also witness a large number of retail outlets at 13 malls and shopping complexes offering discounts of up to 50% on various items.
Participating malls are Al Khor Mall, City Center Doha, Doha Festival City, Gulf Mall, Hyatt Plaza, Lagoona Mall, Landmark Mall, Mall of Qatar, Tawar Mall, The Gate Mall, Villaggio, Ezdan Mall and Dar Al Salam Mall.
'In addition to diversifying our tourism products, Shop Qatar 2018 is designed to appeal to an international audience, bolstering its position as a destination that welcomes the world, Qatar Tourism Authority's (QTA) chief marketing and promotion officer Rashed al-Qurese told reporters at a press conference on Monday at Al Hazm Mall the country's newest luxury shopping destination.
'Shop Qatar 2018 will be the first of many projects next year, which support our efforts to diversify source markets and enrich our annual calendar of tourism events, he noted, adding that QTA has established a colourful calendar of festivals annually through collaborations with its partners in the public and private sector.
Qatar Development Bank's Business Finance executive director Khalid al-Manaa, QSports deputy chairman Ghanim al-Mohannadi and QTA's festivals and tourism events director Mashal Shahbik also attended the press conference.
Shop Qatar 2018 will also feature different themes such as Arabian Week, Bollywood Week and International Week to celebrate ‘cultural diversity' and attract more domestic and foreign visitors, according to organisers.
The Arabian Week, taking place from January 7 to 13, will include concert, fashion show (Middle East designers as participants), pop up workshops (Moroccan ceramic painting, decorative wooden dhows, Syrian wooden mosaics, Syrian hand painted pottery), make up masterclass (by renowned celebrity make up artist Hanan al-Najada), shopping activities and sales and promotions.
Residents and visitors will have the chance to watch a concert by popular Indian singer Sonu Nigam, fashion show (South East Asia designers as participants), pop up workshops (handmade fabric embroidery and handmade block printing cloth, among others), and other activities during the Bollywood Week from January 14 to 20.
From January 21 to February 7, a concert by The Chainsmokers (Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre) will be among the highlights of the International Week, apart from renowned celebrity Hollywood make up artist Joyce Bonelli's masterclass, renowned celebrity fashion designer Alejandro Resta's pattern making, cutting, designing and stitching and pop up workshops such as Turkish pottery, Russian ribbon embroidery and Malaysian kite making.
The event, which forms part of QTA's strategy to grow and diversify the country's tourism offering, will also hold many outdoor events that will allow residents and visitors to enjoy the weather in the country during the winter season.
'Shop Qatar is a unique fusion festival that blends tradition with modernity, entertainment with shopping, al-Qurese said. 'It is a celebration of the cultural diversity that the country enjoys and enriches the lives of us all.
'In diversifying Qatar's visitor source markets, China, Russia, India and Germany are at the forefront of our target markets, which will contribute to increasing visitor arrivals, he noted. 'This will also help in developing the tourism products to suit the needs of visitors from those countries, support the growth and development of our tourism sector.