Fountain shows on the Corniche, an Entertainment City at the Doha Exhibition Centre, an “Aqua Park” in Al Wakrah and various indoor and outdoor activities across Qatar will be the highlights of this year’s Qatar Summer Festival from August 4 to September 27.

Hosted by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), the festival will give citizens, residents and visitors from the region an opportunity to enjoy various entertainment activities that will appeal to all ages, especially kids.

Some of the activities include bike riding, kayaking and other games in Al Khor, mall shows across Qatar including commercial sales and raffle draw and generous prizes; and a “Disney On Ice show” at the Qatar National Convention Centre.

Rashed al-Qurese, director of Marketing and Promotions at QTA, said the Qatar Summer Festival 2014 was part their efforts to make the country the best tourist destination for families in the region.

He stressed that the event would offer quality performances to present Qatar’s various entertainment options and warm hospitality.

“Through our efforts we seek to stimulate the tourism sector and enhance its role in the national economy,” noted al-Qurese, who also vowed to support owners of tourist facilities and stakeholders in the tourism sector.

“This is adding value to their efforts and helping them promote their offerings at home and abroad,” he added.

In a press statement, QTA said that Qatar’s tourism industry recorded a continued growth during the first quarter of 2014.

The total number of visitors from all parts of the world rose by 26%, citing a significant number from Kuwait with 42%. Hotel occupancy also rose by more than 10% compared with the figures during the same period last year.

The total number of regional and international visitors in the first quarter reached 387,022, translating into a 9% year-on-year increase. 

Visitors increased from most corners of the globe especially those coming from GCC countries with a 5% increase. At least 188,621 tourists came from Saudi Arabia, topping the list as the largest single source of visitors. 

The average hotel occupancy rate also rose from 68% to 75%. This was attributed to the 1.9% decrease in available rooms from 13,551 in the first quarter of 2013 to 13,251 in the first quarter of 2014 due to renovation-related closures.

QTA also noted that total revenue of four and five-star hotels has increased by 5.4%, reaching a total of QR999.4mn for the quarter. Revenue of three-star hotels also reached QR1mn.

The festival is part of the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030, which was launched by QTA in co-operation with stakeholders in the public and private sectors.

The strategy serves as a road map for the development of the tourism industry in Qatar and as a guide for QTA to position Qatar as a world-class hub with deep cultural roots.