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German cruise ship ‘AIDAcosma’ arrived at Doha Port Monday, carrying 3,624 passengers and 1,385 crew members, according to Mwani Qatar.On its social media pages, Mwani Qatar said the ship's maiden call to the port is one of 13 scheduled voyages during the 2022/23 cruise season, which started in December last year and continues until April.The 345m-long and 54m-wide ship became a popular backdrop for social media posts by Qatar residents and visitors at the Mina District Monday.'AIDAcosma' is operated by AIDA Cruises and has 20 passenger decks and 2,700 staterooms. It is one of the largest cruise ships within the AIDA fleet with a capacity of more than 6,600 passengers and 1,636 crew members. It was built in 2021 and launched in early 2022.Mwani Qatar noted that 'AIDAcosma' “is one of the new class of ships that is dual-fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and traditional fuel oil, which is intended to make them more environmentally friendly”.The arrival of 'AIDAcosma' and other major cruise ships is expected to boost Qatar’s tourism sector, attracting an increasing number of foreign visitors, particularly during the cruise season.For 2022/23, Doha Port will witness a total of 58 world-class cruise ships and four cruise liner maiden calls, in addition to welcoming around 200,000 visitors until the end of April.The Doha Port received Italian cruise ship ‘Costa Toscana’ – the flagship vessel of Costa Cruises, which can accommodate around 6,500 passengers – on Sunday during its maiden tour of the Arabian Gulf.According to Qatar Tourism, the 24,000sqm Doha Port has become a turnaround hub and it is rapidly “emerging as a prominent luxury cruise destination in the winter cruise season”.From the port, cruise passengers can visit Qatar’s popular tourist spots such as the Souq Waqif, Museum of Islamic Art, Doha Corniche, National Museum of Qatar, Msheireb Downtown Doha, and the newly built Mina District.Located at Doha Port, the Mina District offers a wide range of retail and food and beverage offerings and a relaxing atmosphere due to colourful architecture, scenic views, and other attractions.

Qatar’s tourism sector reached new heights during a year which had the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as the crowning glory. The mega sporting event which attracted more than 1.4mn football fans from across the world, has now been announced as the best World Cup of this century, in a BBC Sports poll.Apart from the attending matches of the 29-day, 32-nation tournament, foreign visitors also had the opportunity to explore Qatar’s various tourism offerings, ranging from iconic landmarks and attractions to the country’s culinary scene, arts and culture, festivals, and major events, among other experiences.In the lead-up to the prestigious tournament, Qatar has already welcomed more than one million visitors from the start of 2022 to August – seen as a remarkable recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.Qatar Tourism (QT) logged 729,000 international arrivals in the first half of this year, which is 19% higher compared to 2021’s (full year) 611,000 visitors to the country. June 2022 alone witnessed 149,000 visitors coming to Qatar – recorded as “the highest visitation to Qatar in the summer month in the last five years.”According to QT, 34% of the total number of visitors entered by land (51,000); 6% by sea (10,000), and 59% by air (88,000) via the Hamad International Airport - voted as the World’s Best Airport by Skytrax for the second year in a row.According to QT, Qatar concluded the winter cruise season (from December 2021 to June 2022) with 101,000 cruise passengers with 34 cruise ship calls. This figure is approximately 12% of the total arrivals during the same period of last year.As the FIFA World Cup approached, football fever gripped Qatar with the arrival of nearly 180,000 visitors in October – a six-year high – with the hosting of a sea of events and new launches. The country featured family-friendly attractions and entertainment, as well as unique exhibitions and festivals.Visitors also witnessed the opening of different world-leading luxury hotels and resorts, including Fuwairit Kite Beach, Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha, and The Outpost Al Barari; various attractions; luxury malls (Printemps); the reopening of the Museum of Islamic Art; the inauguration of Darb Lusail Festival and the pedestrianised Lusail Boulevard – dubbed as “the country’s latest open-air shopping and dining destination”; and the opening of Al Maha Island and a number of public beaches at West Bay area; in addition to the events organised as part of Qatar - Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) Year of Culture.Multi-awarded and World’s Best Airline by Skytrax, Qatar Airways, played a key role in further boosting the country’s tourism sector, operating nearly 14,000 flights during the World Cup. The national carrier was the Official Airline Partner of FIFA.During 2022, QT launched a number of campaigns to promote Qatar as a tourism destination such as the “No Football. No Worries.”, featuring legendary Italian footballer Andrea Pirlo who highlights Qatar’s world-class and curated offerings.“In a series of humorous advertisements,” Pirlo is seen “enjoying various adventures in Qatar, from sandboarding down the desert dunes of the Inland Sea and soaking up the culture in the Museum of Islamic Art to kitesurfing at the country’s new resort, Fuwairit Kite Beach.”QT also launched an initiative titled ‘Posts of Qatar’, which showcased “10 distinct goalpost art installations that frame some of the most iconic landmarks and Insta-worthy spots across the country”.QT noted that “the initiative represents the ultimate fusion of the country’s love for football, appreciation for art, and talent for creating striking destinations.”

The popularity of Thobe, ghutra and igal as fashion fan trend during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has shifted to a traditional Arab cloak called ‘bisht’, making it the most-sought after item in Doha after the award ceremony of mega sporting event. Argentina's captain Lionel Messi received the bisht from His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, in a gesture widely viewed as a symbol of respect and great honour for the legendary footballer. Bala, a seller of traditional Arab dresses at Souq Waqif, told Gulf Times that he witnessed a demand surge of bisht right after the closing ceremony of the tournament. "Thankfully, we had enough stock," he said. A large number of Argentinian supporters, as well as Brazilian football fans, rushed to Souq Waqif shops and bought the traditional cloak (bisht). Prizes range between QR70 and QR1,500, depending on the quality, design and material, while the high-end items could reach $2,500 or even more, according to Bala. He noted that the machine-made designs are cheaper compared to the handmade ones, which are mostly made in India. “We have different colours of bisht but fans only want the black, similar to the one worn by Messi on stage. They wear it right away and many requested me to take a picture of them,” Bala said, adding that some customers bought more than one piece. “An Argentinian told me that he will be giving the bishts, besides other traditional Arab wearables such as the thobe, ghutra and igal, to his family, relatives, and friends as gifts and souvenirs,” Bala said. Wearing of traditional Arab clothes, in addition to jerseys, large flags, and other World Cup-themed wearables, became immensely popular during the tournament. Such a trend continued throughout the World Cup and until the finals until the bisht burst on to the centrestage. This was echoed by Sabith, also a seller of different Arab dresses and items at Souq Waqif, saying that he continues to receive many inquiries about bisht from foreign visitors who stayed longer in the country. “Many football fans purchased bisht but before that, it’s the thobe, along with ghutra, and igal, which were really in high demand, especially for those heading to the stadiums,” he added.

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 finals won by Argentina, spectacular fireworks, a winner's parade and cultural pageantry at Lusail Boulevard, a scintillating air show and a host of live performances by renowned international artists were among the highlights of the Qatar National Day Sunday.The Lusail Boulevard brought together a large number of football fans who patiently waited past midnight for the convoy and the winning team to arrive in an open bus while chanting "Messi, Messi Messi" and waiving both the Qatari and Argentinian flags.Thousands of supporters followed the float to get a glimpse of team members, especially Messi who led Argentina to victory against France. The parade also featured cultural performers, bands, and entertainers clad in colourful costumes, including football-themed attractions."How I feel now is really indescribable not only because of the result of the World Cup finals but also the sport event hosted by Qatar, I think, was successful, everybody is safe and happy, and many football fans like me are still here to witness the Qatar National Day," said Argentinian supporter Enrico who was joined by his compatriots coming from the Lusail stadium.The huge crowd stayed to revel and witness the entire parade, which continued with several other World Cup and National Day-themed shows and music.Many residents also roamed around the venue before the start of the finals until past midnight, holding a placard saying, Thank you Qatar for a successful World Cup".The annual festivity also witnessed numerous activations at Darb Al Saai at Umm Salal Area, as well as other parts of the country, featuring falconry activities, Qatari folk dances, horse riding, handicrafts, and food and beverage offerings, among others.A number of malls and shopping centres also hosted QND-related activities and shows such as musical performances, stage presentations, special contests for shoppers, roving displays, and arts and crafts.Greetings from various embassies in Doha also poured in, congratulating Qatar for its National Day and the successful hosting of the World Cup, which began on November 20 and concluded Sunday.

The Japanese embassy in Doha is expecting to see a rise in the number of visa applications from Qatar after the FIFA World Cup 2022, especially in the spring, Japan’s ambassador to Qatar Satoshi Maeda has said.“Now that visiting Japan in spring has become possible for the first time in three years after the (coronavirus/Covid-19) pandemic, the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) is currently strengthening information dissemination through social media and other means to promote such seasonal visits to Japan,” he told Gulf Times.Maeda noted that the number of visitors from the Middle East normally peaks in spring during the season for cherry blossoms, and the Japanese government’s drastic easing of border measures would further boost its tourism sector.He said that Japan’s charm lies not only in its numerous interesting and stunning tourist attractions regardless of the seasons.“Actually, in addition to cherry blossoms in the spring, visitors can enjoy a variety of tourist attractions unique to Japan that will always keep them entertained all year long, such as the outdoor activities in Japan’s green nature in the summer, the colourful autumn leaves, and the seasonal foods in the autumn, the high-quality powder snow and hot springs in the winter,” the envoy said.“Furthermore, Japan is one of the world’s safest destinations,” Maeda pointed out. “We are confident that a one-time visit to Japan is not enough to experience all it has to offer.”Aiming to encourage more people to visit and get interested in Japan as a travel destination, the ambassador said that the JNTO established its first overseas office in the Middle East last year in Dubai.This, he pointed out, forms part of the Japanese government’s efforts to achieve the government’s target of welcoming 60mn international visitors by 2030 and to attract more tourists from the wider region.As such, the envoy said that the JNTO announced plans to introduce touristic attractions such as Japanese food, nature, culture and history while focusing on the main destinations such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.Maeda cited a considerable decrease in the number of visitors to Japan from Qatar compared to pre-Covid-19 pandemic figures due to the border restrictions imposed by the Japanese government for more than two years.Japan, he noted, fully reopened only in October this year, a month before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2022, and the embassy has yet to see a significant increase in the number of visitors from Qatar.“I believe the reason for that is simply because most Qataris opted not to travel during the World Cup, as did most of the residents, in order to witness this special event firsthand in Qatar,” the envoy stated. “I think we all would agree that it’s a great opportunity that no one wants to miss.”Maeda said that the recognition of Japan as a travel destination is growing among the people of Qatar, noting that it was not as popular as other travel destinations, such as Europe or the US.“Japan is undoubtedly known to everyone and loved as a country and a culture, thanks to the influence of anime/manga and the popularity of the Japanese cars and high tech for instance,” he said. “Nonetheless, many people still have misconceptions about Japan when it comes to travelling; for example, that Japan is unaffordable or far away or such, so the influx of tourists from this region is still low compared to other parts of the world.”“However, we are seeing a positive change in that regard before the pandemic partly due to the Japanese government’s efforts to attract more visitors from the region,” Maeda added. “I expect that such trend will continue and hopefully we will see a major increase of visitors from the Middle East in the coming years.”

Big screens, buffet offerings and cosy atmosphere at hotels and restaurants in Doha have attracted many football fans during the ongoing FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022’s semi-final matches and the trend is expected to continue for the two remaining matches.“I wanted to experience a less crowded place to witness the semifinal matches, and this time with plenty of food and beverage within reach so I and my wife decided to go to a hotel,” said Indian expatriate Sachin M, an Argentina fan.He said he enjoyed spending the night at the hotel, which installed small and big screens for guests, and offered a buffet dinner. While the environment at hotel restaurants is less ecstatic compared to the stadium and the fan zones, Sachin said he and his family feel “more comfortable, relaxed and pampered”.A hotel restaurant’s QR250 buffet for a free match screening has been appealing to many especially for couples, families and small groups while some fans opted just for a few beverages. Filipino expatriate Alfie N, who watched the Argentina vs Croatia match with his friends, said he finds the hotel setting “very much appealing to us who like to eat a lot while watching sports matches whether it is basketball or football.”Since getting a match ticket is nearly impossible now, he said watching the finals between the two remaining teams at a hotel with a small group would be the best option, other than going to a fan zone. Communications officer of a five-star hotel told Gulf Times that their restaurants were at full capacity during the recent semifinal matches, including hotel guests and walk-ins.“A lot of people prefer to spend their QR100, QR150, QR200 or more for food and drinks, and other hotel amenities at this stage and we are very happy to welcome and provide them the best hospitality possible for watching a World Cup match,” she added. She said they expect more football fans to come to the hotel in the third-place play-off between Morocco and Croatia (Saturday at 6pm) and the finals between Argentina and France Sunday (6pm).

Portraits of football superstars – painted live by Doha-based artists – at the Souq Waqif Art Centre cannot be left unnoticed, especially during this period when fans from various countries are frequenting Qatar’s popular tourist destination.From Argentina’s Lionel Messi to Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil’s Neymar da Silva Santos Junior, among other renowned footballers, the paintings serve as one of the main attractions at Souq Waqif and put a spotlight on Qatar’s burgeoning art scene.Egyptian artist Wafa Elsebaie told Gulf Times that she did a series of paintings of football players from the participating teams in the FIFA World Cup 2022, currently displayed at the centre.“This took me around four months to finish which I enjoyed a lot. Also, I got a lot of appreciation from all the visitors, which was very encouraging. My favourite team is Argentina (Messi),” Wafa told Gulf Times.“I am very much thankful to Qatar for this amazing experience and exposure to the world, and I am very happy to be part of this event,” she said.The artist, a member of the Souq Waqif Art Centre and participant in a number of previously held exhibitions in Qatar, lauded the country for the exceptional hosting and organising of the tournament, describing it as “beyond imagination and expectation.”Wafa said the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 provided her and other artists the opportunity to showcase their talent, as well as meet, interact, exchange thoughts, and share cultures with nationals from different countries around the world,For the artist, the event in Qatar is art in itself: from the beautification of the venues to the installation of stunning sculptures across Qatar – all done smoothly and professionally.Algerian artist Ismail Bousba’s various artworks – particularly his Messi portrait – have also captured the interest of many football fans who have frequented Souq Waqif during the tournament.Eduardo from Argentina who passed by Souq Waqif and Msheireb Downtown Doha ahead of the France vs Morocco match on Wednesday, said he was extremely attracted to the paintings of Wafa and Bousba, as both captured the exact details of Messi’s face.While taking videos and pictures of the artworks at the centre, he said: “I find this place very inviting especially for a tourist like me who come from Latin America. I like the installations and these extraordinary works of art, they truly reflect Qatari and Arabic culture and heritage.“After visiting this centre, I realised I should extend my stay in Qatar and also explore Souq Al Wakra and other cultural centres such as Katara (cultural village) and the National Museum of Qatar.”The Souq Waqif Art Centre organises different art activities and workshops for both artists and enthusiasts, serving as a platform to enhance their skills.

Besides the energetic and high-spirited cheering by Mexican football fans during the tournament’s group stage, the football-loving nation has also left some cultural and artistic pieces of legacy in Doha.Two unique sculptures, ‘Oryx’ and ‘Humpback Whale’ by Mexican Artist Rodrigo Solorzano were installed at Katara – Cultural Village and represent Qatar and Mexico as they symbolise the endemic animals native to each region.“We are working to build an enduring bridge between Mexico and Qatar, through sports, cooperation, culture and art; the two sculptures created by Rodrigo Solorzano constitute yet another symbol of the positive dialogue and understanding between the two nations; a genuine act of public diplomacy,” Mexican ambassador to Qatar Guillermo Ordorica Robles told Gulf Times.The envoy joined Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, Katara general manager Prof Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al- Sulaiti, and Katara’s Public Diplomacy Centre CEO engineer Darwish Ahmed al-Shaibani at the unveiling of the installations in November.The sculptures were donated to Katara in time for the FIFA World Cup 2022, underlining the friendship, excellent relations, and further cultural exchanges between the two nations.‘Oryx’ and ‘Humpback Whale’ also form part of Solorzano’s latest project, ‘Bestiario’. A reinterpretation of paper toys, this collection consists of a range of steel and aluminium sculptures inspired by the ancient art of origami.Through an exploration of fold and form, his traditional figures are transformed into creatures of our century. This collection invites us to rethink the distinctions between the functional and the artistic, between design and play.Described as a ‘compendium of beasts’, bestiario or bestiary – a fictional place – originates in the ancient world and these medieval books highlight all the animals that people can imagine: from the common to “legendary creatures that no one has managed to document yet.”This product series combines creatures from various families and regions like ancient bestiaries. Animal figures take new forms from new materials. This collection is not limited to combining the contemporary with the traditional; as a continuation of Solorzano’s past works, he invites people to rethink the distinctions between the functional and the artistic, between design and play.Bestiario was digitally created from the start and prepared to be electronically manufactured using mostly computer-aided machines. The result is a series of industrial sculptures born from the union of technological efficiency with the poetic inspiration of art.The works of Solórzano – an industrial designer who often ventures into the art world – found solace in various countries globally such as the London Parliament, catwalks in Japan, and a luxury hotel in Morocco.The artist’s numerous collaborations led him to explore the world of fashion and robotics, manufacturing health allies, and enriching childhood landscapes. His work is a meditation on the limits between aesthetics and practicality, in which the contradiction between utility and beauty disappears.

Qatar and the UK are keen to develop partnerships in net zero technologies and biotechnology, British ambassador Jon Wilks has said, in addition to strengthening other areas of co-operation.Speaking at a recent media tour to The Garden of GREAT near the Museum of Islamic Art Park, he noted that the two countries agreed – during His Highness the Amir's visit to the UK in May – to develop investments for the benefit of both economies: from creative sector partnership to clean growth and renewable energy, biotechnology, and the healthcare sector in general.“But really, you can imagine in the economy of the 21st century, we need to be building partnerships using technology across all sectors,” the envoy said, as he underlined the need to be looking at technologies in agriculture, education, finance, and medicine.“And we have a lot to offer, and Qatar is ambitious to develop this in the years to come,” Wilks said. “So all those things are going to be part of the legacy.”With many Qataris seeing UK as a second home and given the huge presence of British nationals in Qatar, the ambassador underlined the importance of strengthening the relationship among the young generation – a renewal of the human bridge between the two countries.He noted that the strategic investment partnership between the two countries is expected to boost their creative sector collaboration, ranging from films and entertainment to gaming using technology.Ranked 6th biggest globally and 2nd largest in Europe, the UK embassy noted that the UK video game industry is world-leading, offering a robust ecosystem for development and innovation.The UK is also the second largest music exporter in the world after the US, and it is the third largest music market in the world (source: BPI).“We wanted this to happen in Qatar and in the UK, and so we've had many artists and experts who've been here with us, and we've been arranging meetings with Qatar officials who are working in this area, and we hope to build on that in the years to come,” Wilks said.About celebrating creativity and diversity at the FIFA World Cup 2022, he said that such themes reflect the common objectives that Qatar and the UK share.About the number of British nationals at the tournament, Wilks said tens of thousands of England and Wales football fans came from the UK and British communities in Gulf States and the region.“Wales, of course, represents the Celtic side of the identities of the UK, and England represents the Anglo-Saxon side,” he said. “So you have there the ancient diversity represented by the two teams.”“But we also have the modern diversity of the UK, and that comes from the communities that have migrated since the Second World War in the last 70 years, mainly from the subcontinent – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh – but also from the Afro-Caribbean Islands, and more recently from Africa and the Commonwealth countries,” he added.

Some elements of The Garden of GREAT, the UK's pavilion in Doha running throughout the FIFA World Cup 2022, will be showcased at the 2023 World Horticultural Exposition (Doha Expo 2023), British ambassador Jon Wilks has said.“So we're already thinking forward as part of the legacy," he told a recent media tour to The Garden of GREAT near the Museum of Islamic Art Park.Doha Expo 2023, scheduled to take place from October 2, 2023 to March 28, 2024, will witness the participation of 80 countries, in addition to a number of international organisations, private sector representatives, non-governmental organisations and the general public, according to the Ministry of Municipality.Themed *Green Desert, Better Environment, the event puts a spotlight on innovative solutions that aim to reduce environmental desertification, according to the ministry.Sub-themes are *Modern Agriculture, *Technology and Innovation, *Environmental Awareness, and *Sustainability.The garden, organised by the UK government's GREAT campaign, showcases a different side of the UK and puts a spotlight on its creativity and diversity through a series of immersive installations, activations and shows.The GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland campaign (GREAT) is the UK’s international promotional programme.It works closely with UK businesses, not-for-profit organisations, and high-profile figures to promote the very best of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, encouraging the world to visit, study, live and do business with the UK.According to the GREAT campaign, the UK’s stunning gardens have inspired visitors for generations, and continue to attract a large number of tourists for their beauty and variety.Almost a third of all visits annually to the UK include a trip to a garden or park with those visitors spending a total of £8.9bn during their stay.

A unique exhibition by internationally-renowned French artist Richard Orlinski was officially inaugurated Monday at City Center Doha, featuring around 40 pieces of distinctive sculpture.The exhibition, which will run until January 2023, has been launched by Optimise Home under the patronage and presence of HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association; and HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal al-Thani, chairman of Optimised Holding Company.In a press statement, Orlinski said: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to hold my first exhibition in Qatar at this special time. I am excited to share with the people of Qatar the selection of art I have chosen that reflect the distinctive artistic and cultural scene of Qatar. I hope people take the opportunity to visit the exhibition and enjoy the art on offer.”Orlinski is one of the world’s best-selling contemporary French artists. He began his career in 2004 with the creation of his first work, a bright red crocodile made of resin, which soon became an iconic piece.The artist held many exhibitions in cities around the world and this exhibition is the first of its kind in Qatar.The artist often exhibits his works at locations accessible to the public – “driven by his desire to democratise art” – just like a major mall in Qatar where many people can visit. He also has nearly 5mn followers on Instagram.Reda Salem, group general manager of Optimise Holding, said: "I am delighted to support this unique exhibition, which will enrich the art scene in Qatar. Qatar has long been a fixture in the global art scene and has attracted some of the most renowned international artists. Hosting Richard Orlinski’s exhibition is a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors to see and acquire these unique pieces.”Mahdi Shihab, general manager of Optimise Home, added: “We are delighted to collaborate with international artist Richard Orlinski and have been keen to organise this exhibition to the highest standards so that visitors can enjoy the fine art and have a special experience. The pieces of art on display have been selected carefully and we hope that they will impress the visitors.”Orlinski's exhibition, supported by Optimise Home and organised by Bel Air Fine Art, puts a spotlight on the importance of protecting endangered species, according to Bel Air Fine Art gallery manager Martial Ricart.Ricart said he sees future collaboration between their companies, providing what he described as a great opportunity to further promote and develop the art scene in Doha.

Apart from being one of the most active and liveliest spectators, the Mexican football fans are also among the top spenders, especially for premium and luxury items such as jewellery and watches, during the ongoing FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.Speaking to Gulf Times, Shine Gold & Diamonds' marketing head Sameer Adam said Mexicans have contributed mainly to their sales, buying diamonds and gold items such as necklaces and bracelets, mostly in the 18karat range."We've witnessed a lot of Mexican shoppers coming to our stores to buy different jewellery items, followed by Brazilian and Ecuadorian fans, as well as other Latin American visitors particularly during the group stage of the tournament," he explained.Adam said he finds the Gold Souq and Souq Najadah's location - where nine of their 13 stores are set up - as an advantage since it is within the central bus station and Souq Waqif area - a meeting point and popular tourist destination in Qatar. Qatar’s gold and jewellery market has been witnessing an upward trend in sales even in the lead-up to the hosting of the World Cup, and was further boosted by the influx of visitors.This was echoed by employees of other jewellery and watches shops in Doha citing a demand surge for such items since the start of the tournament where many of their customers were Mexicans.An employee of a leading watch shop chain in Qatar said he witnessed an influx of Mexican shoppers at their store, located at a major mall in Doha, from November 19 and until the last day of tournament's group stage. "We've seen many Mexican shoppers buying watches, of course the brands that they know and familiar with, and we consider it as a windfall for us during this period (World Cup)," he said. "I think second in our list are Brazilians, they too are looking for automatic timepieces and spending much on these items."He said that he expects that such trend could slow down naturally as the number of football teams now is lesser compared to the first few days of the World Cup when all 32 participating teams were still playing.Though a large number of fans like Mexicans and Brazilians may have left the country, the watch shop employee remains optimistic in the coming days as shoppers - fans and supporters of the four remaining teams - have plenty of time to visit the malls and shopping centres during the day and after every match in the evening.A popular perfume brand at a major malls also witnessed its sales soaring when thousands of Mexican football fans were still roaming around the city, according to one of its employees. "I really miss them (Mexicans) not only because they make the mall lively and in festive mood but also our sales was really up every day."Even several hours before their flight, We've seen them here at the mall shopping for various items, including perfumes. I hope we can attract other fans to buy our products," she added.

The Garden of GREAT - UK's pavilion in Doha - has attracted more than 30,000 football fans, including many dignitaries so far, since it opened in time for the ongoing FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, British ambassador Jon Wilks said on Thursday."You have here the ancient diversity represented by the two teams (England and Wales) and the modern diversity of the UK, which comes from the communities that have migrated since the Second World War in the last 70 years, mainly from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, but also from the Afro-Caribbean Islands and more recently from Africa and the Commonwealth countries," he explained."You will see elements here of modern technology, interactive technology, obviously horticulture and we're going to use some elements of this garden for the Horticultural Expo 2023, which will be held in Doha next year," he told reporters at a tour and talk yesterday at the pavilion, which reflects the stunning and colourful gardens in the UK.Almost a third of all visits annually to the UK include a trip to a garden or park with those visitors spending a total of £8.9 billion during their stay, it was pointed out.The Garden of GREAT, open throughout the tournament, provides an opportunity for residents and visitors not only to unwind but also discover British culture without leaving the Middle East. Presented by the UK Government's GREAT campaign, the garden puts a spotlight on UK creativity and diversity, inviting visitors to see a different side of the UK through a series of immersive installations, showcasing UK music, design, fashion and food.From ice-cream crafted by Michelin starred chef Vineet Bhatia and singing stepping-stones from Nigerian-Welsh music artist Kima Otung, to flowers scented by world renowned perfumer Jo Malone CBE the garden is a global showcase of #GREATCreativity across music, food, fashion, art and design.The garden also hosted a series of live performances as part of The British Council’s UK Festival which ran from November 23 to 29, including DJs Jamz Supernova and Katie Owen, in addition to ‘For the Game’ parkour shows by the Urban Playground, and Welsh rap and hip-hop artist Todz.With a a large number of visitors visiting Qatar during the tournament, the GREAT programme at the World Cup aims to inspire GCC and international audiences to visit, study, and do business in the UK.

Despite their heartbreaking loss to Croatia, the Samurai-Blue and Japanese supporters have left a very strong and positive impression about Japan during the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar on and off the pitch through their actions, Japanese ambassador Satoshi Maeda has said.The envoy told Gulf Times that since the start of the tournament, he read many articles mentioning the politeness and discipline of the Japanese people such as the team members cleaning their locker room after the matches while supporters cleaned the stadium before leaving.“This small act of respect towards the place that we visit is actually instilled in every Japanese since early childhood. That's our long time tradition and there is no surprise when they do the same thing after football games.“But I'm so happy to see that many people praised their activity and as we have seen later on, many other fans from different countries were inspired by the Japanese fans and started to do the same after each game. So I’m happy that this started a good tradition in football games,” Maeda said.The envoy lauded the Japanese team’s performance, saying it was impressive and surprised their fans after winning the top spot in Group E, which was also known as “Group of Death”.The Japanese team played with high spirits, shrewd tactics and staged a stunning win over Germany and Spain – both World Cup champions – and advanced to the round of 16, Maeda recalled.“The defeat against Croatia was heartbreaking indeed but we found our solace in the fact that the team gave 110% of their effort and gave us one of their best performances ever, relentlessly fighting to the end but luck was not on our side this time.“I’m very proud of them for their great performance in the four matches they have played and would like them to return home with pride and a smile on their faces. In fact, at this rate, I’m confident that Japan will advance much further in the upcoming World Cup to the semi-finals or perhaps even further,” he added.Maeda lauded the organising of the World Cup in Qatar, saying “the tournament has definitely exceeded all my expectations."“The world cup of firsts” as they say, it’s the first FIFA World Cup with teams from all continents in the round of 16, at the same time, Japan, Australia and Korea Republic have also made Asian football confederation record for reaching knockout stages, Japan winning over two World Cup Champions Germany and Spain...it has certainly been a wonderful journey so far,” he said.The Japanese ambassador cited the state-of-the-art stadiums, excellent transport network, and various cultural experiences, which captured the attention and hearts of the fans who have come to support their teams.He said throughout the tournament, everything proved to be functional and the compact nature of the tournament has turned it into an exceptional experience that is difficult to be repeated again, especially in light of FIFA’s decision to increase the number of participating teams in the upcoming tournaments.“I sincerely believe that Qatar should be proud of this achievement as should be all the Arab countries. This is the true legacy that Qatar will leave on for the future generations,” Maeda said.About plans by the Japanese government to host the FIFA World Cup in the future, he said it won’t be a surprise if Japan looks forward to hosting the event due to the rising popularity of football in Japan – boosted by the FIFA World Cup (hosted jointly with the Republic of Korea in 2002).“Although, I honestly don’t have any information on the subject so far. On the other side, should Japan ever be awarded the right to host the FIFA World Cup, I’m certain that we have a lot to learn from Qatar in terms of the compact and sustainable nature of the World Cup Qatar 2022,” Maeda added.

The FIFA World Cup – football in particular – can play a key role in raising awareness on the importance of achieving the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs), UN-Habitat executive director Maimunah Mohd Sharif has said. “Local action is at the heart of sustainable development. This is what we mean when we talk about SDG localisation. Local and city governments must work side by side with national governments to achieve the SDGs by 2030.“I hope this message will be loud and clear and that football fans can bring it home to their countries,” she said.Sharif took part in a cycling tour at Msheireb Downtown Doha on Tuesday, held on the sidelines of the tournament, as part of an environmental initiative titled “Cycle to Recycle”. In partnership with Education Above All, it aims to create a movement that encourage alternative ways in promoting more sustainable cities.She said that millions of football fans can learn more and help in achieving the SDGs by 2030. According to UN-Habitat, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes a dedicated Goal on cities, SDG 11 – to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.Sharif cited Msheireb, which was designed and built as a compact and walkable neighbourhood, as an example of urban regeneration: its walkways, piazzas and arcades encourage people to walk and has a sustainable transport system with the Msheireb Tram connecting directly to the metro. She noted that many buildings are LEED-certified and Msheireb serves as an example of sustainable resource management and adoption of the 3R approach – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.“As I always like to do things my way, I can add a fourth R - Rethink. We should re-think how we plan and manage our communities. SDG 11 (make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable) is not a goal that stands on itself. It is strongly linked with other SDGs.“If we plan and manage our cities sustainably, we help them to develop economically and reduce poverty and hunger, as stated in SDG1 (no poverty) and SDG 2 (zero hunger).“We can achieve better health outcomes – SDG3. We can spend more on public services, education, and infrastructure – Goal 6. We can improve water and sanitation—Goal 6. And we can have better energy – Goal 7. To achieve our goals, we need to make our cities resilient,” Sharif said.She underlined the importance of having more public spaces, which means more football fields for children to raise future super stars. However, she noted that public spaces in cities not only provide space for physical exercise but also help build better communities. “City governments who invest in public infrastructure get a positive return on their investment by reducing healthcare costs or enhancing productivity,” Sharif added.

An environmental initiative “Cycle to Recycle” aimed at raising awareness about the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was launched Tuesday, featuring a cycling tour around Msheireb Downtown Doha.The event, organised by UN-Habitat in co-operation with Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, Msheireb and Doha Cyclists, brought together 30 participants from different sectors of society, including Qatari Minister of Sports and Youth HE Salah bin Ghanim al-Ali, Morocco’s Minister of Culture Othman El Ferdaos, UN-Habitat executive director Maimunah Mohd Sharif, EAA Foundation CEO Fahad al-Sulaiti, and Rwandan cyclist Moise Mugisha.UN-Habitat is working in more than 90 countries, including 18 in the Arab region supporting people in cities and human settlements for a better urban future.“The idea why we’re hosting it in Msheireb Downtown because this is a sustainable city, we’re learning about sustainability, promoting good health and wellbeing and we are partnering with the UN agency called UN-Habitat,” EAA Engagement manager George Tavola told Gulf Times.He said the Ooredoo-sponsored event was held on the sidelines of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar and forms part of EAA’s ongoing ‘Scoring 4 the Goals’ campaign.The campaign calls for action in support of SDGs to encourage people around the world to do their part in bringing about a more peaceful and prosperous future for all.While EAA hosts an array of activities at its pavilion at the FIFA Fan Festival throughout the World Cup, Tavola noted that its latest initiative is an offside activity aimed at promoting recycling through cycling – a carbon-neutral sustainable form of transportation.The cyclists visited a number of green spaces, an electric charging station and Msheireb’s electric tram (to promote electric cars as opposed to carbon-based transport technologies), and museums at MDD to learn more about the history of Qatar.“Cycle to Recycle”, organisers noted, also aims to create a movement that would encourage alternative ways in promoting more sustainable cities, including shedding light on different modes of mobility.EAA’s Creative lead Mubarak Nasser al-Thani said the event underlines the synergies between the entities in Qatar and UN-Habitat to work jointly towards achieving the SDGs and the importance of using alternative sustainable transport such as cycling.Before the start of the cycling tour, Sharif said in her speech: “You might wonder why we mention sustainable development during this event. Football is a mass sport with millions of fans and followers. If people learn about Sustainable Development Goals here, they will know more and will help us achieve more. This means we have higher chances of achieving our Global Goals by 2030.”The event puts a spotlight on SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), SDG 11 (inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities), and SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production patterns). The participants rode through the streets of Msheireb to explore the features that make the district the world’s first smart and sustainable downtown regeneration project.“EAA is committed to using education to help transform lives and bring about a better world for everyone, and perhaps nothing is more important than sharing knowledge about ways in which on what we can all do in order to bring about a cleaner, healthier future. Learning to take simple every day actions, like cycling, recycling, and conserving energy, will go a long way in Scoring 4 the Sustainable Goals,” EAA CEO Fahad al-Sulaiti said in a statement.“Scoring 4 the Goals” underscores the value of football in enhancing sustainable development, peace, tolerance, inclusion, and climate action. The campaign was launched three months ago at the UN General Assembly in New York, and is ongoing throughout the World Cup 2022 tournament, with daily activations and engaging discussions.Msheireb Properties Marketing and Communications’ director Dr Hafez Ali Ali said the event takes place in the heart of Doha, at MDD, the sustainable eco-friendly city district that is equipped with smart facilities while embodying the true Qatari heritage.He noted that MDD is now a role model for modern sustainable cities, in line with Qatar’s ambitious strategy to tackle the climate change challenge, and achieve low carbon emissions.“We are proud that we are leading a new norm in the construction sector, and honoured to share our knowledge and expertise in this field to collaborate together in accomplishing the UN’s SDGs,” Dr Ali said.

While many football fans continue to enjoy the wide variety of Arabic food in Qatar, the FIFA World Cup 2022 is also showcasing the diverse culinary scene across the country.“The food I have eaten until now is mostly burgers and pizzas, because I am from Saudi Arabia and I haven’t eaten traditional food here since it’s the same,” Mishaal Alsabti told *Gulf Times, adding that he find it easy to look for the cuisines he likes in Qatar since arriving two weeks ago.He said he also spent time visiting places in the country such as the Katara – the Cultural Village, Lusail city, Msheireb Downtown Doha, and Souq Waqif, which have been attracting a large number of football fans since the start of the international tournament on November 20.Like Alsabti, it is learnt that many visitors from neighbouring GCC countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and the UAE have been spending a longer period in Qatar to experience the tournament and try the numerous food offerings.Mohamed F from Oman said that while he prefers Italian food such as pasta and pizza over other international cuisines, he still craves for American burgers and is thankful that it is widely available in Qatar.“I love to visit Souq Waqif and Msheireb because I can just dine anywhere ... you can’t go wrong,” he said. “Everything is authentic but restaurants are always full.”“Of course there are a lot of international restaurants and coffee shops at the malls and shopping centres,” he added.Travellers who just visited other countries in the Gulf, like Cathy from Estonia, said she has tried Indian food, shawarmas, Arabic hummus, and falafels “and other kinds of stuff”.“But the choices here are very diverse, with a lot of different cuisines on offer, so I don’t have enough time to try everything,” she said.About her experience in Qatar in general, Cathy noted that “with the Hayya card, everything is easy, it is working perfectly well”.She cited Qatar and the region’s high level of safety and security, saying that “there are no issues so far”.Many football fans find it convenient to visit popular dining destinations across Doha via public transportation, particularly the Doha Metro, connecting one location to another.Choi from South Korea said she enjoyed riding the metro while exploring Doha, having lunch at City Center Doha, and dinner at Villaggio Mall with her compatriot.“For Arabic food we head to Souq Waqif because it is highly recommended based on the discussions online, and many fans are celebrating there in the evening after a match,” she said.Whether the South Korean team wins or not, she said she will be spending a few more days in Qatar to visit other places and try other cuisines and beverages, especially Indian and Filipino food.

South Korean ambassador Lee Joon-ho has urged Korean football fans to explore Qatar, adhere to its laws and respect local culture for them to enjoy their visit during the FIFA World Cup 2022.Prior to the South Korea vs Brazil match Monday, the envoy told Gulf Times that the embassy’s main goal off the field is to empower Korean nationals to have a safe and fun visit to Qatar."Qatar is a diverse, fascinating country with a rich culture and a variety of entertainment options. Important aspects of daily life in Qatar are different than in Korea due to both laws and culture. To make the most of their visit to Qatar during the World Cup, I encourage all Koreans to learn about Qatar while you are in Qatar, follow the law of Qatar, and respect the local culture."The embassy stands by to assist you in many ways once you arrive. I wish all our nationals have an amazing experience here in Qatar during the World Cup," Joon-ho said, adding that he was very pleased to join them in cheering for the national team at the tournament.The envoy stated he is also pleased with the Korean national team’s extraordinary performance at the group stage of the World Cup, which began on November 20 and will conclude on December 18.“The Korean national team has upped their games with talented players, and all players have trained very hard so far,” he added.The South Korean football team defeated Portugal 2-1 during the group stage to qualify for the Round of 16 of the tournament.