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A one-of-its-kind exhibition, titled ‘Keep Running: AI (artificial intelligence), Art and Qatari Heritage’ by Canadian artist Dr James She puts a spotlight on a series of AI paintings created at the height of the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak in Qatar last year. “All these pieces are the first, I’m quite sure, at least the first collection of AI artwork produced in Qatar or even in the region,” said Dr She, also an associate professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)’s College of Science and Engineering.   A type of AI technology called ‘GAN’ or Generative Adversarial Network was used to produce Dr She's artworks. PICTURES: Joey Aguilar He is one of the artists selected as part of Doha Fire Station’s Artist in Residence programme, which provides mentorship, working with curators, open studios and access to the building’s facilities such as fabrication lab, woodshop and exhibition spaces. Speaking to Gulf Times, Dr She said he used an emerging technology dubbed as ‘GAN’ or Generative Adversarial Network for his show – enabling a computing machine to learn from the visual features of photographs and then allows it to understand and create art like a human. “Basically, I used a lot of photos of horses (taken) during the pandemic last year. I was staying in the hotel and opposite is the Souq (Waqif), and there is a horse stable,” he said. “All I do (at that time) is go for exercise and every time I pass by the horse stable, I take a lot of pictures of the horses and then I used all these pictures to feed into the machine that runs the technology, and it starts to learn, just like a kid. When it learns what a horse looks like, it starts to paint, and based on some information that I provide, the machine will keep drawing every moment,” said Dr She, who arrived in Qatar a few months before the pandemic. From the series of AI paintings Dr James She A collection of human and machine co-generated horse paintings showcased at Doha Fire Station Gallery 3 He named his collection 'Keep Running' for three reasons: first, he had the opportunity to continuously produce and generate artworks using AI technology while staying at home during the outbreak in 2020. “Fundamentally, it actually keeps telling (us that) we as humans we need to evolve our life even under difficult times, to keep running,” Dr She noted. Second, he said the horse – a Qatari heritage symbol – depicts a country’s strength, endurance and persistence in the face of a current or future global crisis and it will keep running to grow and find its own way to succeed. And the third reason, according to Dr She, is a constantly changing technology that helps artists produce their works, debunking people’s skepticism on how AI becomes a realistic art. He described it like a spirit that pushes artists to become more creative by constantly running new ideas, creating art with new technology such as AI. “That is why we created the first AI horse painting (in Qatar and the region) because a horse is also a popular subject matter in art history,” Dr She said, stressing that he was not the first to make use of AI for artmaking globally. He noted that the world’s first AI art was just sold through an auction house in 2018, and the second in 2019. “I hope that we will be the first one in this region. We’ll see, it (AI) is still new, and as an educator in the university, I am also teaching AI for multimedia. I’m trying to train students to pick up AI technology not just for art, but for different kinds of creative industries,” Dr She said. "I believe that hopefully by my involvement in the university and also in the museum here, we will foster more people to adopt this technology to create AI art.” As an associate professor at HBKU, Dr She’s research area also includes making use of AI technology to help humans be more creative such as letting a machine do a certain job. “This is also my area, how to use AI technology to free our time and our mind so that people will have more capacity for something more creative. That also explains why we don’t need to worry that AI will replace us,” he said. “We try to delegate some repetitive, time-consuming work to AI, to leave us more time and energy for something more creative.” 'Keep Running', along with the 'Mohammed Atiq al-Dosari: Attention’ exhibition, opened on March 10 and will run until April 7 at Doha Fire Station Gallery 3.

The Doha Fire Station Wednesday unveiled two exhibitions under its Artists in Residence programme, giving art enthusiasts in the country the chance to explore modern themes from a new perspective. Keep Running: AI (artificial intelligence), Art and Qatari Heritage by Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) associate professor Dr James She allows viewers to discover AI’s creative purposes besides purely technological advances. His pieces were drawn from a series of AI paintings, portraying distinguishable horses’ features and forms while creating aesthetic value and even capturing sentimental reactions in each horse portrait using generative adversarial network (GAN) technology. Mohammed Atiq al-Dosari used waste materials to create something beautiful The artist created the body of work over the past year during his residency at the Fire Station amid the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, as part of a collaboration with HBKU. The ‘Mohammed Atiq al-Dosari: Attention’ exhibition highlights the adverse impact of waste on the environment as seen by the artist during his residency at the International Studio & Curatorial Programme in Brooklyn, New York in 2020. Indian philosopher Osho has been al-Dosari’s inspiration in his works, using waste materials to create something beautiful aimed at raising awareness on wastes’ environmental effect globally. He uses simple elements, ordinary tools, and cheap materials to create pieces that explore the ideas of time and place. In a statement, Doha Fire Station director Khalifa al-Obaidly said: “The Fire Station is delighted to unveil two incredibly thought-provoking exhibitions that explore current global advances and challenges. We look forward to welcoming the wider community to explore these modern themes from a refreshing perspective and to reconsider how we can each play our part in alleviating the global waste crisis.” Keep Running: AI, Art and Qatari Heritage is showcased at Gallery 3 while Mohammed al-Atiq: Attention is at Gallery 4, both running until April 7. The Doha Fire Station is open from 9am to 7pm between Saturday and Thursdays, and from 1.30pm to 7pm on Fridays. Qatar Museums imposed precautionary measures in accordance with the recommendations from Qatar’s Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control office of the Ministry of Public Health, limiting the number of visitors and staff at the Fire Station at any given time. Upon arrival, visitors will be required to present a “green” health status on the Ehteraz virus-tracing app. Masks are required for all visitors (12 years of age and older). Each person will also be checked for a normal temperature reading at the entrance. Visitors who have a high temperature or do not have a mask will not be allowed into the Fire Station.

  * Envoy welcomes American golfers John Catlin and Johannes Veerman The US embassy in Doha is planning to bring an American country singer for a solo concert in the desert, in addition to a wide range of events as part of the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture. “We’ve got musical events, many online events, including a cooking event and Arabic and English poetry slam,” US chargé d'affaires ambassador Greta C Holtz told a virtual press briefing Tuesday. The envoy cited the Year of Culture programme this year and the importance of sports as a vehicle for change in conjunction with Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. She also welcomed two American golfers – John Catlin and Johannes Veerman – who are participating in the tournament.   John Catlin   Johannes Veerman Holtz said they want to be more creative in holding events and activities amid a Covid-19 pandemic, following all protocols set by Qatari authorities to ensure the safety of all. According to Qatar Museums (QM), the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture programme will feature virtual and in-person events, including exhibitions and installations of works by Qatari and American artists; events showcasing the music, film, and fashion of both countries; sporting events; culinary experiences; entrepreneurship, innovation, STEM, business events; and educational programmes. “We have got music events with the US Air Force Central Command band and the Qatar Symphony Orchestra," Holtz said while recalling the launch event with a Washington Spirit Women’s football team friendly match with the Qatari women’s team. “We hope to bring them back in the fall and do another friendly match," the US charge d'affaires said. A number of events have to be rescheduled due to the Covid-19 outbreak, “hoping that with the way that Qatar is taking care of the pandemic, we’ll be able to do more.” Holtz lauded the hosting of various events in Doha, including major sports competitions, saying organisers are doing a good job of trying to keep them open but Covid-safe. She noted that golf tournament forms part of Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture, which marks the long standing relationship between the two countries and highlights the rich diversity of their people and culture. “We are super delighted to be working with our premier partners, QM and the Qatar embassy in Washington, as well as many other valued partners throughout the country to engage the people of Qatar to a universal passion for sports,” the envoy said, noting that the US embassy in Doha looks forward to hosting future sports events. Sharing his participation in the tournament last year in Qatar, Veerman recounted that Commercial Bank Qatar Masters was the last event running normal before the pandemic. “When I think of Qatar I have this feeling of ‘those are the good old days, spectators all hanging out without masks, and the golf tournament was running normal, and the travels normal,” he said. Staying for a few more days after the tournament in 2020, Veerman said he experienced Qatar’s warm and friendly culture with friends in Doha. An alumnus of Texas A&M in the US, he had the chance to visit the campus in Qatar and met with the dean. “We have so many traditions at A&M, one of the things that we usually do is say ‘howdy,’ we don’t say hello. When I saw howdy written in Arabic on the top of the door in the A&M building here I thought that was so cool,,” Veerman said. “I took a picture of it and send it to my all my friends and they also got a really big kick out of it.” Catlin echoed his compatriot's view saying the people in Qatar have been very accommodating, and looks forward “to being able to come back when things are a little more normal, and explore and see what the city of Doha and Qatar have to offer.” About tips to aspiring golfers, Veerman said the opportunity to compete with junior players “in a very synergistic, competitive, and friendly environment” is an advantage. “I think what makes someone great is competition.” Catlin shares a similar view saying that he had the chance to compete against a lot of junior players during his early years. “From there I was very lucky to be introduced to some great coaches who put me in the right direction both from the fundamental side, mental side, practice side, and that is where I really fine-tuned my game. I think the fire really started from competing with my friends at a very early age,” he said.

A number of retail outlets in Doha are witnessing a slight increase in the demand for travel accessories since January, expressing optimism that many people will see easing of Covid-19 restrictions and quarantines in various destinations. Speaking to Gulf Times, LuLu Group International regional manager Shanavas PM said that sales of luggage and other travel items in several stores have improved in the past two months. He hopes that the trend would continue in the coming months as many residents maybe planning to take long vacations once situations across the globe further improve. Shanavas said that they also expect the demand for other categories including beauty products and fashion accessories, to increase since residents who will travel to their home countries tend to take these items as gifts for their loved ones. While anticipating this demand surge, he stressed that they continue to implement strict Covid-19 precautionary measures by limiting the number of people within LuLu stores, in addition to mandatory wearing of face masks and social distancing, to ensure the safety of shoppers and visitors. Different kinds of luggage and travel accessories – of various brands, designs, and colours, still occupy a huge area at several retail outlets, especially at LuLu stores, across Qatar, giving customers a wide range of options. An employee of a popular boutique at a major mall in Doha also said they have been receiving “a good response from new and regular customers” last month and in the first few days of March. “Things are still slow but at least we see many of our avid customers who seemed to have been vaccinated started visiting our shop again. It’s a good sign and we hope to see more shoppers in the coming days,” he said. The employee added that they expect to see an uptrend in sales since patrons of their brand usually like to upgrade and buy new models for their next travel. About recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, he pointed out that renowned brands have already established names for themselves and could rebound easily once the situation improves. “We are very optimistic that the situation will return to normal, people will always follow the trends and continue to travel. I just hope that we do have enough stocks to offer when customers come to our stores, looking for their preferred items,” he added.    

Though the Covid-19 pandemic prevented most of Qatar residents from travelling abroad over the past year, they were able to explore the country’s hidden treasures during this period. “It’s nice to find out more about a country that we’ve lived in for 19 years,” Scottish expatriate Elaine Potter told Gulf Times. She described recent day trips with her husband to different destinations across the peninsula “a rediscovery of Qatar’s rich history and heritage.” From Al Zubara – the country’s largest (60 hectare) heritage site – and the rock formations at Zekreet to the different pristine beaches and public parks, Potter said the journey was long overdue. “We enjoyed getting off the city and we like the road trip. It is great while the weather is cool we advise the people to enjoy it,” she said, suggesting that people to bring their own food during the travel. Going to Al Zubara, Potter said the roads are smooth – no hassles – as the fort is at the roadside and a couple of hundred metres is the entrance to the archeological site. “It wasn’t too hot so it is nice to just walk around there, and it is a vast area, we were looking at the ruins and just enjoying the outdoors. There are some display boards with information about the history of the area,” she said. In January, many Culture Pass members had the chance to visit Al Zubara through a Qatar Museums programme titled “Atharna”, which aims to introduce the wider community to Qatar’s archaeological history through curated tours. This popular tourism destination, Qatar’s first Unesco World Heritage site, features a fort, an archaeological site, a fortified compound, a palatial compound and the City Wall, as well as the visitor centre and the temporary exhibition. Like other travelers, Potter also points to Arsan Café, the former Al Old Police Station, as an ideal stop for those seeking to visit the places in the northern part of the country. Located 110kms from Msheireb Downtown Doha, it is listed as a heritage site under Qatar Museums.   Potter said the area offers stunning views and turquoise water, apart from the relaxing atmosphere while sipping a cup of coffee while at Arsan. “It is just nice to go somewhere different, so many lovely beaches as well, and to have some time exploring, taking photos and reading out about the history of Qatar,” she said. While visiting places like Al Khor to see the stadium and the various public parks such as Al Bidda, Oxygen, Aspire, and 5/6, among others, Potter said travelling across the country has become faster with the opening of new roads. “They are amazing, we go in the morning it is very quiet on Friday and Saturday but Al Bidda park is so big, plenty of space to exercise, not too crowded,” she added.    

Since his childhood, Qatari artist Mohamed Faraj al-Suwaidi had huge interest in a unique medium and technique previously ignored by many of his contemporaries. “The software tools used have been rooted to my main interest in animations and design – the concept of movement and computational simulation has always been a growing interest that has evolved from a young age,” he said.   Mohamed Faraj al-Suwaidi Al-Suwaidi is an alumnus of Doha Fire Station’s Artist in Residence programme, along with 19 other artists whose works were showcased from July 15 to September 1 in 2019. His fascination for digital platforms opened new opportunities to further his passion. In the same year, he was selected for a three-month residency at International Studio and Curatorial Programme in New York in 2019.   The artist often use polygon based shapes influenced by facial features and contextual forms in his works According to the Doha Fire Station, the residency offers “a 24-hour access to a private furnished studio space, communal facilities, regular studio visits from guest critics, field trips to museums, galleries and other cultural venues.” “Accepted residents are granted living and materials allowance, accommodation allowance, and one return travel ticket. Only one artist is accepted per residency term.” Al-Suwaidi is an architect, animator and designer Al-Suwaidi’s successful stint in Brooklyn culminated in his “Digital Transaction” series, held at the Doha Fire Station in January 2020. The exhibition featured “a series of digital prints, composed of scenes captured around New York and altered using 3D software in a repetitive manner.” “One of my most important exhibitions is the Digital Transactions series. The exhibition explores various societal habits that have evolved due to the influence of technology,” al-Suwaidi said. “My works have been digital, computational and simulation-based ever since.” “Polygon based shapes influenced by facial features and contextual forms are often used in my works, representing the coding language used for facial tracking and spatial mapping techniques,” he added. An animator and designer, al-Suwaidi created a certain distinction of his work to become one of the most prominent artists in Qatar. As an architect, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Plymouth University and a Master in Architecture from the University of Liverpool, he was motivated and inspired to purse art saying: “Architecture embodies a combination of both form and function, through structural and conceptual works. Art fuses well into this creative process, fusing both the architectural techniques that I have developed into a series of works that explore various ideas.” Al-Suwaidi said his profession complemented his work as an artist and helped him to become more creative and innovative. Some of his works were part of an auction organised by AlBahie Auction House for young Qatari artists last year, including his famous ‘Consumer Consumed’ pieces. Several exhibitions and galleries in Qatar have also featured al-Suwadi’s stunning installations and paintings, attracting a large number of art enthusiasts. “There is a continued drive to develop my style of works and I continue to experiment with different tools and forms of representation. This is a habit that I have picked up during my studies abroad that has thankfully complemented my works,” he noted. The artist is currently spending his time experimenting with new tools and collaborations with different artists, which allows him to exchange knowledge and develop new works with colleagues. His message to aspiring artists in Qatar: “Continue to evolve and integrate yourself in different platforms of development - including workshops and networking groups. Exchange of knowledge and experience is a vital source of self-development.”

A group of volunteers in Qatar will head to Zikreet on Thursday (March 4) for another beach clean-up drive aimed at protecting the environment and raising public awareness on the dangers of plastic pollution. The event, organised by Doha Environmental Actions Project (Deap Qatar) in collaboration with Qatar Museums (QM), is a family and child-friendly undertaking. Slots are limited due to Covid-19 restrictions. Volunteers are required to bring their QIDs or passports, and drive their respective vehicles as part of the Covid-19 precautionary measures. According to the organisers, “Green Ehteraz, wearing a face mask, and social distancing are mandatory.” They also advised volunteers to bring their own gloves (work or gardening gloves are recommended). Anyone under 18 years-old must be accompanied by an adult. “Dress properly: Be respectful of local culture. Shoulders covered, no small shorts. Long shorts or pants are preferred. Don’t forget sun protection. Bring your food and drinks. Due to Covid-19 sharing food is discouraged,” organisers stressed. Several organisations and institutions in Qatar held beach clean-up activities at Zekreet in recent years to protect and preserve marine life in the area. Such campaigns and initiatives aim to encourage visitors to keep the beach clean by disposing their wastes properly and to raise public awareness on the key role that volunteers play in protecting the environment. In December last year, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment’s General Cleanliness Department also organised a two-month comprehensive cleaning campaign at the northwestern beaches of Qatar. The three-phase beach clean-up drive, stretching more than 150kms, started at Abu Zallouf city and ended at to Zekreet. Deap Qatar also held a beach clean-up event at Rawda (Desert Meadow) to mark Qatar National Environment Day on February 26. Volunteers and personnel from Albaladiya were able to collect 700kg of trash in the area. Prior to this event, Deap Qatar also held similar activities recently, including a clean-up drive at Al Zubarah with Qatar Museums chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, and other representatives from other institutions. Some 15 volunteers from Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar also took part in a clean-up drive on Wednesday (March 3) at Al Thakira, collecting 80kg of wastes. “Another great clean up. Given Covid-19 restrictions, numbers were small, but progress big,” said Deap Qatar on its social media pages, thanking volunteers and other participants.  

* The Expo, with the theme “Designing Future Society of Our Lives” and set to take place from April 13 to October 2025 at Yumeshima Island in Osaka, is expected to attract around 28mn visitors from various countries   The Embassy of Japan in Doha has unveiled an outline of the Expo 2025 master plan, which will be used as the basis for the event’s preparations starting this year. The Expo, under the theme “Designing Future Society of Our Lives” and set to take place from April 13 to October 2025 at Yumeshima Island in Osaka, is expected to attract around 28mn visitors from various countries. According to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, Expo visitors will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea at the artificial island, located on the waterfront of Osaka City. “The site will be designed to embody the principle of “unity in diversity,” combining connection between diverse beings with the encouragement of diversity through the principles of ‘decentralisation’ and’ dispersion’, which the Organiser of the Expo has embraced since its candidacy,” organisers said. “The Expo site will comprise three areas: The Pavilion World, Green World and Water World. As an area of liveliness with a concentration of pavilions and other facilities, the Pavilion World will have the ring-shaped main street as a major line of flow of visitors and scattered plazas in different sizes, both of which will provide access to all pavilions. Above the main street will be a Grand Roof (Ring),” organisers added. Apart from its main theme, the six-month Expo will also have three sub themes: Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives – focused on initiatives aimed at achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Expo will be operated sustainably and environment-friendly to help build a zero-carbon society by using renewable energy and promoting the 3Rs – reuse, reduce, and recycle (using recycled materials). “With the site positioned as a showcase of a future society, the Expo will provide visitors with wonder and a future vision by giving a realistic picture of a future society through co-creation with various businesses and other parties,” organisers noted. Part of the plan includes using digital technology, practical application of latest technologies and social systems, and other initiatives and innovations within and outside the site. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience ‘novel mobility with flying cars,’ futuristic entertainment – combining real and virtual, avatars, ICT-platform-based mobile apps, 5G network, and hydrogen energy technology, among others. Other initiatives aimed at “realising a comfortable Expo for visitors” such as advance admission booking system, introduction of electronic ticketing, setting admission tickets that permit entry only during limited days or hours, use of robots in the pioneering fields of robot utilisation, and introduction of machine translation technology, among others, will also be considered for implementation. Other “field-specific plans” include reducing food waste, providing services and products that meet the needs of diverse visitors, ensuring smooth access for an expected 28.2mn visitors to the Expo site, ensuring information security, preventing accidents (and responding quickly and appropriately if it happens) at the site, and adopting necessary infectious disease control measures, among others. The Expo will also use sophisticated and virtual technology in organising music concerts, dramatic performances, performing arts, thematic forum, parades and festivals, aqua shows, projection mapping, art programmes, and an array of exhibitions. Under the “People’s Living Lab – a laboratory for a future society’ concept, the Expo will have: • A space where 8bn people from around the world will not only view exhibits but will co-create our future society • Even before the Expo begins, an online platform for sharing challenges and solutions from around the world will be launched • A place where the world’s knowledge such as cutting-edge technology will be brought together, used to create new ideas, and shared, all to help resolve global issues facing mankind    

Outdoor activities and adventures, especially in less crowded locations such as Al Thakira, have become increasingly popular among Qatar residents who want to spend their weekends in a safe environment amid the current Covid-19 situation. From camping and kayaking to road trips and bicycle rides, it is learnt that many people find it practical to avoid indoor activities as much as possible as a precautionary measure against the pandemic. The Al Thakira mangroves features a vast green scenery. PICTURE: Jayan Orma Visitors find kayaking to be a great way to explore the Al Thakira mangroves. -screenshot from Visit Qatar's Instagram page A number of residents spend their weekend at Al Thakira. PICTURE: Jayan Orma Will Chamley at Al Thakira “I visited Al Thakira for the first time last November for a kayaking expedition. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and found it very well organised by my tour company. We were able to kayak individually or in pairs and it was suitable for most levels of fitness,” Will Chamley, a British primary school teacher who has been working in Qatar for seven years, told Gulf Times. “It was very refreshing to be among greenery and the air feels much cleaner than in the city. It (Al Thakira) was, by far, the most naturally beautiful spot I've visited in Qatar. A highlight was spotting local wildlife, although I'd love to go back again to see a rare sighting of a flamingo in its natural habitat,” he said. Near the mangroves, Chamley added, is Purple Island, which he recommends for a great afternoon trip since it provides a welcome break from the built up areas. Located north of the seaside city of Al Khor, the Al Thakira mangroves has become a popular destination due to its vast green scenery and kayaking serves as an enjoyable way for visitors to explore its natural beauty. “The walk-way on to the island is well maintained and very photogenic. The island itself has a small stretch of coast where families were having picnics, and there was some rock formations which were great to climb and take photos from,” Chamley said. For Qatar Chain Reaction’s Saturday Social Ride cyclist Adiel Mohamed, cycling from Doha to Al Thakira between 3 and 3.5 hours (depending on their pace) is already a treat. “We cycled there quite often in preparation for the Qatar Quest ride. We used the Bay Area as our half way stop to fuel up before continuing our training. We tend to spend a lot of time in the city and when riding out to Al Thakira it’s a nice change of scenery which reminds me of riding along the coast back home in South Africa,” he said. Besides kayaking, he said visitors can ride with a mountain bike or hike along the beach. He finds a walk on the beach, picnic, or just watching the sun set on Purple Island less strenuous activity. According to Visit Qatar, the official social media tourism account of the Qatar National Tourism Council, bird watching is also a popular activity at Al Thakira, which serves as a stop for several migratory birds every year between May and October.

Qatar’s hospitality outlook is promising and will emerge even stronger from the Covid-19 pandemic, Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas’ Food and Beverage Director Andreas Landsvik has said. “This is due to the different government initiatives focusing on health and safety, the gradual opening of borders to the rest of the world and the ability of the government to innovate,” he told Gulf Times.   Andreas Landsvik Landsvik said the Qatar government’s proactive approach in dealing with the outbreak helped track and prevent the spread of the virus, as well as ensure the wellbeing and recovery of the F&B sector in the country. Restaurants, he noted, are able to use technology-based solutions introduced by the government such as Ehteraz in providing a safe dining environment for guests. Authentic Italian cuisine at Dante restaurant The resort's goal is to provide unique experiences in a safe environment Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park He underlined the importance of following the laid down safety measures by the government and health authorities, saying that dining venues need to strictly adhere to hygiene and social distancing rules in their day-to-day operations. With the current situation and the recent positive developments in the region, Landsvik said the industry starts to see a shift in travellers’ expectations and their demand for local travel and dining options. As an example, he cited the rising popularity of Italian cuisine in the country, noting that the Italian Trade Agency in 2020 identified that Italy recorded a 4% growth in its F&B exports to Qatar compared to previous years despite the impact of Covid-19. Landsvik said such growth was also witnessed during the Week of Italian Cuisine – designed to facilitate trade exchange between Qatar and Italy in the F&B sector. He described the dining scene in Qatar as dynamic and competes with the very best in the region, saying that “Qatar has plenty of fascinating homegrown F&B concepts as well as a number of internationally acclaimed F&B brands that has made the nation a key culinary destination.” He added that Hilton Salwa Beach Resorts & Villas, has a variety of food and beverage concepts - Levantine, its Middle Eastern restaurant serving unique dishes from various Levant areas with a twist. Nesma Lobby Lounge showcasing hand-crafted afternoon tea menus and traditionally prepared beverages. Other restaurant openings during the year are the Souk Kitchen, a modern and vibrant eatery focusing on Middle Eastern, Asian and Western Flavors; Octa seafood restaurant and Miss Wong Chinese Restaurant Landsvik said. “The broad spectrum of offerings also includes great comfort food options for the water park as well as inspiring lounge concepts which combine stunning seaside vistas with exceptional cuisine. These concepts have been developed based on years of research on the F&B preferences of local and international guests,” he added. “Our overall goal is to provide unique experiences in a safe environment to attract visitors and boost Qatar’s hospitality and F&B industry. We take care to follow the health and safety protocols and find ways to keep on delivering extraordinary and unique experiences while keeping our guests and team members safe. “We do this through the Hilton Clean Stay Programme which has been designed to disinfect all public spaces and guest rooms and to ensure that any area a guest enters is safe. We have also installed signages across our facilities and closely monitor to ensure that social distancing is applied at all times,” Landsvik said. About popular offerings among guests in the current situation, he said they have seen a gradual increase in tabletop style dining due to the changes in the buying behaviour of customers. These include food served at the table as opposed to the traditional buffet service where variety of meals are displayed. “The overriding message here is that less is more. This new trend will contribute to our common responsibility and commitment to drastically reduce food-waste,” Landsvik said. He pointed out that F&B operators in Qatar need to be bold and daring in their endeavours to wow the dining-scene with new and exciting offerings.

Zekreet, which has a unique scenery of white limestone cliffs and rock formations – away from the hustle and bustle of urban life - has become a popular destination for many Qatar residents “Absolutely enjoyed our visit. Perfect place for photographers during sunset and sunrise. It has a very peaceful atmosphere or vibe I would say,” Sudanese expatriate Hajer Elbakri told Gulf Times. “It felt great to escape from the city for sometime to be honest, I have been there a few times with my friends and family,” she said. “I used to live in Dukhan so Zekreet was nearby by to me.” Zekreet, spread across nearly 20.6km and about 80km north-west of Doha, has been renowned for its geological splendour such as mushroom-like hills and picturesque view either day or night, making it attractive for many visitors. Syrian expatriate Rana Flores, who visited the place with her family, shares the same view saying that Zekreet offers a rare natural beauty and described it “a harmony of mountains and rocks”. “Me, my husband and my children enjoyed a lot. Amazing rock formations, different shapes, some were easy to climb, some were difficult. It also felt like an adventure, as well as a geological exploration,” she said. “I recommend people to visit that place.” Apart from bicycle rides and other activities especially during the cold season, a bike-run event dubbed as “Theeb Zekreet 2020” was also held in Zekreet, attracting a large number of participants. Zekreet is also considered one of the most Instagrammable spots in the country as many residents share enjoyable experiences on their social media pages during their visit. Instagrammer “shadow_s_journey”, who took part in the “Theeb Zekreet 2020” said: “I so loved and enjoyed the entire course despite the brutal fight with the headwind. It was just like an adventure for me enjoying spectacular views of rock formations, the blue sky and crystalclear water along the coast. Forgot in a while the hustle-bustle of life in the city.” Zekreet also provides an opportunity for visitors to see “East-West/West-East”, an iconic public art installation by renowned American artist Richard Serra. The installation was restored by Qatar Museums in November last year, and urged people to protect the country’s public art as part of its anti-vandalism campaign. Many visitors also see Zekreet as an ideal place for filmmaking and photoshoots, as well as an excellent backdrop for vlogs. This one-of-its-kind local destination is expected to attract more visitors, further boosting domestic tourism.    

* Kenyan bodybuilding and fitness star Christopher Oketch shares his journey of becoming a six-time Qatar Strongest Man titlist While the Covid-19 pandemic posed a huge challenge for bodybuilders and fitness athletes, six-time Qatar Strongest Man winner Christopher Oketch took it as a break to train harder and win the latest edition of the competition. Oketch, also a two-time titlist of Kenya’s Strongest Man, bested compatriot Joseph Iroo Ekadeli (second) and Egyptian expatriate Mohamed Dweidar (third) at the prestigious event last month at Aspire Park. “The global health crisis was a shock to everyone, our life sort of like changed, but during this time, bearing in mind that 'you are training for QSM’ even when a lot of places got shutdown here, gave me an opportunity to even train harder but in limited capacity,” he told Gulf Times. “Since the gyms were closed for like three months, so I said okay we have to think outside the box,” said Oketch, who was prompted to stay and do his workouts at home. To become a champion, he stressed that one has to train as a champion – safe and smart training, having adequate recovery and at least seven-hour sleep, eating a balanced diet (less processed food), and a healthy lifestyle. “I wouldn’t be eating like a normal person who can just eat breakfast, lunch, and supper, so for me I try to at least eat a minimum of five times and these are portion-controlled, a very balanced and high-protein diet,” he said. Oketch underlined the importance of discipline, which means forcing oneself and doing things “even if you don’t feel like you want to do it, because it is your chosen career like an athlete.” While fitness training, weightlifting, and other gym workouts have become an inherent part of his daily routine, he said his philosophy has always been to maintain and break the records in order to win. “I was able to do that a couple of times so I train to break my records like depending upon how I performed. The next time I will outperform my last performance so that’s been the way I do my training and my way to approach competitions,” Oketch said. “From the first time or even many times I got to compete, the hardest part for me is to retain the title because everyone is gunning for you, everyone is coming to get you, and everyone is coming to get hold of the championship,” he added. Oketch has always been an active and athletic person since a little boy in Kenya, playing football and other sports. It was during his primary years when his older brother, William Odhiambo, who was crowned Mr Kenya Heavyweight 2003, inspired him to pursue a similar path. “I want to emulate him I want to become a champion as well. I trained with him and with his proper guidance I started making gains in terms of strength and body composition,” he said. “When I finished high school and in college I was very active in the gym and I was among the top strongest in our gym.” Before he came to Doha in 2013, he participated in a number of body-building events in Kenya but did not make a mark. Only until he placed third in another body-building contest back home and a top prize at a show in Doha when he decided to give it a try at QSM. “That sort of inspired me and I said okay if I can become number three, then I can be a person who can win competitions. I did one show (in Doha) which was in a gym and I won, I won a lifetime membership in that gym, then this win motivated me to play more and that is when I said I want to give it a try in the QSM, organised by Aspire Zone Foundation,” Oketch said. “Before that we had one Kenyan guy who won it (Ekadeli), this was a sort of reassurance that we can win competitions, so I won QSM in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021, so six times I’ve been number one in this event,” he noted. Oketch also took part and won two out of three competitions in his home country – dubbed as Kenya’s Strongest Man. He is preparing to defend the title this year. He also lauded and thanked Aspire and its management for organising QSM 2021 despite the current situation. “For us we are very grateful to the Aspire management in that they were able to host it in a very difficult period. We didn’t even know we could be competing in the sport that we love (despite the pandemic) and we look forward to participating every year,” Oketch said. About teamwork and camaraderie, he noted that Kenyans train and compete as one people, aiming to sweep the top positions in an event. “That’s been our aim but this time we took two positions, one and two, and number three went to Egypt so this again gives us a chance to go to the drawing board and try to improve more.” About tips for aspiring fitness athletes, he reiterated doing safe and smart training: “It means if you’ve never been to a gym, you first need to get and trained by someone who at least has an experience or is qualified to show you how to move, how to perform the workout.” He also suggested doing weight training for 40s and above, since it has been scientifically proven to have health benefits. “As a champion, we need to teach people the importance of fitness and health in society and this is our aim everywhere we go,” Oketch said. “You’re not a real champion if you cannot inspire people to live a healthy lifestyle and to be stronger by taking care of themselves.”    

*Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas and the Desert Falls Water and Adventure Park bolsters Qatar's position as a leading destination for both domestic and international tourism Domestic tourism in Qatar continues to get a further boost as citizens and residents find local destinations such as resorts and adventure parks “very attractive” amid the current situation. “We see a tremendous development in the tourism industry caused by a shift in the travel patterns of consumers who are opting for domestic tourism options as opposed to international travel due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic,” Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas’ commercial director Daniel Norman told Gulf Times. He said the opening of Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas and the Desert Falls Water and Adventure Park was timely and very strategic as it received a positive response from public since its inception. “From the positive reviews and mentions across digital platforms, we know we have designed unique and innovative room and food and beverage offerings. We have also redefined the meaning of entertainment through our Water and Adventure Park, which is one of the largest in the Middle East,” Norman said. Desert Falls, which features 28 adventures and 56 rides and slides, is one of the biggest and most unique attractions in the Middle East, providing guests with a safe and curated hospitality experience. To support the rising interest in domestic tourism, Norman said the resort follows rigorous cleaning standards across its facilities through the Hilton Clean Stay Programme, an initiative designed to provide exceptional hygiene standards for guests. With a resilient and thriving hospitality industry, he expressed confidence that Qatar will strengthen its position as a leading destination for both domestic and international tourism. Norman said the resort is strategically positioned to help Qatar reach this goal, and it is actively partnering with the government to achieve its global hospitality and tourism objectives. “In addition, Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas has introduced local and global food concepts across its over 20 restaurants to create an immersive dining experience for domestic and international travelers,” he added. The resort, in partnership with the Qatar Triathlon Federation, also hosted its first triathlon and brought together more than 400 sports enthusiasts, according to Norman. He said the resort is planning to launch a state-of-the-art sports academy later this year. It will house training facilities, football pitches, indoor swimming pools, team briefing rooms, a medical centre and a variety of courts for different sports. In addition to the resort’s entertainment facilities, Norman noted that it also has purpose built, customisable meeting spaces with a capacity to host up to 1,200 guests. “Our dynamic spaces are perfect for celebrating luxury occasions, intimate private parties and social gatherings taking into consideration social distancing. We also recently partnered with Qatar National Tourism Council to conduct an extensive seven-day shoot to showcase our facilities and promote investment opportunities within the tourism sector in Qatar,” he said. The resort’s rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art technology; each beach villa has its own private gardens, pools, indoor and outdoor living spaces, rooftop terraces, sea view and direct beach access. “We also have coming up the Arabian Village, which offers 31 authentically styled villas and apartments set in a labyrinth of alleyways, and designed to reflect the beauty of the Arabic culture,” Norman said. As an exciting new addition to the hospitality sector, Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas combines world-class services with all the sensational experiences of a destination vacation, firmly placing Qatar on the map as a key leisure destination in the region.      

The demand for online shopping and home delivery services has again surged after the re-imposition of Covid-19 restrictions in the country, it is learnt. Speaking to 'Gulf Times', LuLu Group International regional manager Shanavas PM said online orders – both food and non-food items – have been increasing over the past two weeks. He said LuLu has doubled its capacity for home deliveries at various locations in the country to serve its customers who prefer to shop online amid the current situation. “We have doubled the number of our delivery trucks. There is a huge demand particularly on food items, as well as groceries and baking products, probably because people who stay at home tend to cook and bake more,” Shanavas PM added. Besides food items, he said that electronic and mobile devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets continue to be attractive for many customers, many find home delivery to be practical for several reasons. Apart from the standard delivery, Shanavas said that LuLu’s Collect from Store and Express Delivery services are also attracting many shoppers since their inception. He noted that shopping at LuLu stores across Qatar remains safe as Covid-19 precautionary measures and protocols are in place to ensure the safety of shoppers and staff. It is learnt that previous promotions and online deals for several products – from special discounts and reduced prices to free deliveries – have enticed a large number of customers. Filipino expatriate Joan S who lives at East Al Hilal lauded major supermarkets and hypermarkets such as LuLu and Carrefour for providing efficient and timely deliveries even during the weekends. “I’m used to it now, I find it safe and convenient because it’s easier to browse the items I want to buy using my mobile phone. It saves time and energy, and there is less interaction,” she said. However, Joan hopes that hypermarkets and supermarkets would offer more items online, which includes high quality photos and their descriptions, for shoppers to have plenty of options and choices. An employee of another major hypermarket confirmed a continuously increasing demand for online orders daily. She said that they received “a significant number of online orders” both from regular and new customers in Doha in the past two weeks. “We were able to address a number of issues and challenges such as keeping the quality of fresh produce and other highly perishable items. Still, we hope to further improve our delivery services and meet the expectations of our valued customers,” she added.    

The demand for online shopping and home delivery services has again surged after the re-imposition of Covid-19 restrictions in the country, it is learnt. Speaking to 'Gulf Times', LuLu Group International regional manager Shanavas PM said online orders – both food and non-food items – have been increasing over the past two weeks. He said LuLu has doubled its capacity for home deliveries at various locations in the country to serve its customers who prefer to shop online amid the current situation. “We have doubled the number of our delivery trucks. There is a huge demand particularly on food items, as well as groceries and baking products, probably because people who stay at home tend to cook and bake more,” Shanavas PM added. Besides food items, he said that electronic and mobile devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets continue to be attractive for many customers, many find home delivery to be practical for several reasons. Apart from the standard delivery, Shanavas said that LuLu’s Collect from Store and Express Delivery services are also attracting many shoppers since their inception. He noted that shopping at LuLu stores across Qatar remains safe as Covid-19 precautionary measures and protocols are in place to ensure the safety of shoppers and staff. It is learnt that previous promotions and online deals for several products – from special discounts and reduced prices to free deliveries – have enticed a large number of customers. Filipino expatriate Joan S who lives at East Al Hilal lauded major supermarkets and hypermarkets such as LuLu and Carrefour for providing efficient and timely deliveries even during the weekends. “I’m used to it now, I find it safe and convenient because it’s easier to browse the items I want to buy using my mobile phone. It saves time and energy, and there is less interaction,” she said. However, Joan hopes that hypermarkets and supermarkets would offer more items online, which includes high quality photos and their descriptions, for shoppers to have plenty of options and choices. An employee of another major hypermarket confirmed a continuously increasing demand for online orders daily. She said that they received “a significant number of online orders” both from regular and new customers in Doha in the past two weeks. “We were able to address a number of issues and challenges such as keeping the quality of fresh produce and other highly perishable items. Still, we hope to further improve our delivery services and meet the expectations of our valued customers,” she added.

Nabina Holding, one of the oldest and largest independent family-owned businesses in Qatar, has announced expansion plans both regionally and internationally, the company’s CEO Tariq Abdulaziz Nabina has said. “We want to fill the gap which is missing in the market and we have a vision to expand regionally. First, we will start in GCC countries, and we are also aiming to go internationally,” he told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the company’s 70th-anniversary celebration recently. The event, attended by Nabina Holding chairman Abdulaziz Mohamed Nabina, Tariq Abdulaziz Nabina and other senior officials at the company’s main showroom in Al Gharafa, also marked the launch of its new logo as it thanked customers for their significant contribution to the company’s success. According to Tariq Abdulaziz Nabina, the company aims to meet the growing demand for construction and building materials, offering new and premium products and services that suit new trends in the industry. As part of its initial expansion, Nabina Holding opened a Levante Trading Company showroom along Salwa Road (near Midmac Roundabout) in August last year, displaying a wide range of building materials for the Qatari market. He said they try to bring new and renowned brands since “the interior construction has become a fashion nowadays”, where people follow certain trends. “We are mainly known in the contracting and building construction sector so we are trying to diversify and enter new industries such as food and beverage, and technology,” he said. Tariq Abdulaziz Nabina highlighted the importance of maintaining the trust of customers as it forms a key part of the company’s strength and constant growth. “We are now in the third generation of Nabina and one of our biggest responsibilities is to continue keeping customer’s trust and loyalty for more decades,” he stressed. The official cited the company’s resiliency in the face of many challenges – from different economic crises to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic which started last year – as it stood stronger and keen for further expansion. He said Nabina Holding considers its employees as part of its family, working hard together amid crises and continuously improve customer satisfaction. “As a family, as a strong team (owners, employees, and all the shareholders), we stick and stand together and overcome different challenges. This is our strength,” he said, adding that the company always tries to bring and develop new strategies “to remain on top” in the industry. About Qatar’s construction sector, the CEO expressed confidence that it would remain strong as the country is set to host the FIFA World Cup 2022 and the Asian Games 2030, among others. “Qatar is considered as one of the countries that is hosting big events. We have the FIFA World Cup 2022, we have the Asian Games 2030, and we are also bidding for the Olympic Games, and Qatar is keen to host major sports and other international events.  The country’s construction sector will continue to grow and we will always be there to support,” he added.

Qatar skydive team, comprised of 25 parachutists, has set a Guinness World Record for its five-point (25-canopy) formation Friday, marking the opening of the 1st Qatar International Parachute Jumping Championship at the Sealine area. The team’s stunning performance was also posted by the Qatar Air Sports Committee of the Joint Special Forces on its social media pages such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat, The championship will continue until February 11 from 7am to 5pm. HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah inaugurated the event. HE the Chief of Staff of Qatari Armed Forces Lieutenant General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem and HE Commander of the Joint Special Forces and head of the Committee, Major General Hamad bin Abdullah al-Fetais al-Marri, as well as ambassadors from various missions, and other dignitaries were present. “We are very happy and proud of today’s achievement, and we will continue. There will be more achievements in the future,” Abdullah al-Hammadi, member of the executive board of Qatar Air Sports Committee and leader of the Qatar Skydive Team, told Gulf Times. About the championship, he noted that eight countries – Germany, Austria, Denmark, Slovenia, Libya, Palestine, Morocco, and Qatar – are taking part in this latest edition. It will have two categories: four-way skydiving formation and accuracy landing. In addition to a series of skydiving performances, the opening also witnessed a number of activities that entertained attendees, including a horse show. Organisers urged spectators to adhere to Covid-19 precautionary measures to ensure the safety of all, and to prevent the spread of the virus. Al-Hammadi said the competition forms part of the preparations for the World Parachuting Championships, which will be hosted in Doha in November. The upcoming championship is expected to see the participation of the best parachutists from 45 countries, including the team from Qatar, according to the Qatar Air Sports Committee. Like the FIFA 2022 World Cup, al-Hammadi stressed that the parachuting competition is also a prestigious and major sporting event. Official Qatar News Agency reported earlier that the Qatari national team trained in Portugal to prepare for this and other upcoming international competitions.      Photos by: Jayan Orma

Gulf nationals’ interest for FIFA World Cup 2022 hospitality programme and offerings is expected to naturally increase following recent developments in the region, according to MATCH Hospitality executive chairman Jaime Byrom. “We have always hoped for very strong interest in our hospitality programme from Qatar’s neighbouring countries especially as this is the first FIFA World Cup in history to be staged in the Middle East region,” he told 'Gulf Times'. Byrom noted that MATCH, the worldwide exclusive rights holder of the FIFA Hospitality Programme, appointed an exclusive sales agent in the UAE and Lebanon while advanced discussions with other potential partners across the rest of the GCC member states are underway. In a recent virtual press conference, Byrom announced that pre-sales for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 hospitality programme had reached $90mn, describing it “record-breaking” and surpassing what it achieved in the first month of sales for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. He said the tournament in Qatar next year will be unique and special in many aspects, particularly its hospitality programme and offerings. “The contrast between the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia (which was our last World Cup operation) and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 could hardly be greater,” Byrom said. “From the world’s largest country (17mn sq km), a land of diversity, multiple cultures and 11 host cities, to the smallest ever FIFA World Cup host country and the first Middle Eastern nation to host the event.” He noted that Qatar promises to deliver an amazing tournament that will capitalise on its principally unique attributes, namely: • Close proximity: the eight stadiums are all located in or within a short driving distance of Doha allowing fans to attend more than one game per day. •Planning certainty: fans can plan as of today where they will stay. •Cost-efficiency: compared to previous FWCs the close proximity of all venues will help fans avoid incremental costs for inter-venue travel and multi-venue accommodation. •A fascinating region with unique attractions. •Spectacular state-of-the-art stadiums. •State-of-the-art transport infrastructure; and •Traditional Arabic hospitality.   Byrom lauded the efforts of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) in its overall preparations for the prestigious tournament. “Having witnessed the preparations and infrastructure being built in Qatar, along with the efforts being made by SC and the State of Qatar to ensure a warm welcome for fans from around the world, I am convinced that Qatar truly promises to host a FIFA World Cup like no other that has come before,” he said. “The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will be a unique opportunity for football fans to experience a new culture, a new region and a new way to experience football matches and we have already witnessed a very strong international response to our global sales agents ITT, which has indicated an unwavering interest in the FIFA World Cup despite the challenges faced over the past 10 months,” Byrom added. About dealing with the challenges and impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic on the hospitality sector and MATCH’s programme for the 2022 tournament, he said their planning remains on schedule and are “committed to work within whatever guidelines and regulations implemented by SC, FIFA and Qatar in order to deliver a safe environment for all.”