Tourists from the GCC countries are among the highest spenders at Souq Waqif during their stay in Qatar, a number of salesmen at the souq have pointed out. They told local Arabic daily 'Arrayah' that the highest spenders after the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 are from GCC countries and their numbers have increased considerably after the global mega event.
Besides, the choice of Doha as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2023 by the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism has further enhanced the Qatari capital's position as a highly desired tourist destination, which will -- in turn -- help increase tourism's share in the country's GDP.
Souq Waqif shops, in particular, have benefited from the influx of GCC tourists over the past few months as many of them prefer to buy souvenirs at these stores and enjoy meals at the different restaurants located there. The heritage appeal of the place makes it a 'must-visit' destination for many.
The place also receives tourists from other parts of the world, the salespersons said. It has been noticed that tourists from places such as Mexico, Italy and Romania prefer to buy accessories made of pearls, they informed, adding that visitors from the UK and US usually buy gift items "without much bargaining".
Ahmed al-Hadarmi, salesman, observed that GCC tourists often buy souvenirs in big quantities as gifts from Qatar for their families and friends, in addition to different types of fabrics, because their retail prices at Souq Waqif are considered cheaper when compared to other places. Other common items bought by GCC tourists include incense, perfumes and small items that are sold at competitive prices.
He noted out that the number of foreign tourists coming on cruise ships have increased recently and they prefer to tour Souq Waqif and buy souvenirs, especially traditional artefacts. Barakatullah, another salesman, said women's accessories decorated with pearls, such as necklaces, bracelets and earrings, are highly sought-after gifts among tourists as the region is closely linked to the culture of pearls. He added that the sales of such items have increased recently due to the growing number of tourists, and the sellers are often willing to offer discounted prices for big purchases.
Kanji, a tailor, said the sales of ghutra, egal and thobe (traditional Qatari dress and headdress for men) have increased significantly and are in high demand among different categories of tourists, and include both tailor-made and readymade varieties. He added that many preferred to add a football and FIFA theme to such items during the World Cup last year.
Riyad Hejazi, a salesman, said most tourists prefer to buy different types of souvenirs, such as small sculptures of animals, which they keep as a memory of the place or give out as gifts to friends back home. He said camel sculptures are among the most-preferred souvenirs for European tourists.
