QTA initiative to woo GCC tourists

Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) has been working closely with neighbouring GCC countries in organising bigger events such as food festivals to further attract foreign visitors.
“We do not look into competing with other festivals but always like to share the same experience to people or tourists who are visiting the region,” QTA’s Festivals and Tourism Events director Mashal Shahbik said on the sidelines of the Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) yesterday.
She said that such events compliment each other and upscale the reputation of host countries as best culinary destinations.
Based on QTA’s survey conducted recently, between 12% and 15% of the total QIFF visitors last year came from neighbouring countries and other regions as well.
Shahbik said they start their marketing campaign for the festival ahead of the school breaks and other holidays in other GCC countries, particularly Saudi Arabia.
“A lot of Saudi cars are in Doha right now. It is because they are having vacation and we usually check their school calendars, and try to fit in the festival,” she pointed out.
About holding a second QIFF this year, Shahbik said they prefer to expand the event in other ways such as increasing the number of participants and adding more features every year.
This year, more than 100 participants are taking part at QIFF, nearly doubling the size of last year. Organisers also partnered with Katara – the Cultural Village and The Pearl-Qatar to have satellite venues.
“Based on these new activations this year, we will see how we can expand next year and showcase Qatar’s hospitality and its diverse food and beverage sector,” she said.
The QTA official added that QIFF is one of the few festivals around the world where hotels participate. Besides offering a free entry, the event also restricts the prices from QR5 to QR35, to make it affordable to all. “Lots of food festivals around the world charge entry fees but here, we want people to enjoy the festival,” Shahbik said.
Like last year, QIFF brings back its popular signature activities that include Dinner in the Sky by Qatar Airways, Live Cooking Theatre, High Tea by the Bay, InstaMarket, Health Court, Barbeque on a Dhow and Barbeque on the Bay.
A number of exciting activities will also be held at two of the satellite venues of the festival.