‘Shop Qatar,’ a new addition to the country’s calendar of annual tourism festivals and events, will kick off in January with a wide range of retail offerings and cash prizes up to QR4mn.

The first edition of the festival, under the slogan ‘A Brand New Tradition,’ will take place from January 7 to February 7, it was announced by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and its festival partners including Mall of Qatar, Qatar Airways (QA) and Ezdan World.
QTA’s chief marketing and promotion officer Rashed al-Qurese told a press conference that they want to capitalise on Qatar’s winter season to entice more visitors from neighbouring states.
“We anticipate that a festival during the colder months has an even bigger chance of attracting visitors, due to the offering combined with Qatar’s great winter weather,” he said.
Apart from cash prizes, the month-long festival will also offer discounts on popular brands, special promotions on air fares and hotel bookings, and a series of cultural and entertainment shows. It will feature ‘Cats the Broadway musical,’ live music concerts and 15 stand-up comedy acts.
Shop Qatar will witness retail outlets at nine major malls and The Pearl-Qatar giving away discounts up to 50% on a range of items such as clothes, electronic gadgets, cosmetics, and accessories for all genders, among others.
The participants are Mall of Qatar, Ezdan, Hyatt Plaza, AlKhor, Lagoona, Gulf, Landmark, Dar Al Salam, The Gate and The Pearl-Qatar.
Shoppers who spend QR200 at any participating retailer will receive a coupon and a chance to win cash prizes for a weekly raffle draw at Mall of Qatar. Draws will be held on January 13, 20, and 27 with 15 cash prizes ranging between QR 10,000 and QR300,000
A jackpot prize of QR1mn is at stake and will be given away on February 7 plus 14 separate cash prizes ranging between QR20,000 and QR120,000.
Al-Qurese noted that 'Shop Qatar' coincides within mid-year holidays for potential visitors in neighbouring countries, considered as QTA’s largest source markets.
He said festivals are key tourism offerings that attract large number of visitors particularly during peak periods.
In March, Qatar received the largest number of visitors to ever be welcomed in a single month during the Qatar International Food Festival, according to the senior QTA official.
To support local entrepreneurs, the festival will also showcase local products designed by students of Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar and other local designers in various pop-up stores at participating malls. Fashion experts will hold tutorials for mallgoers who want to know the latest make-up trends.
Mall of Qatar CEO Ahmad al-Mulla said they aim to change the paradigm of shopping centres in the Gulf region by bringing the first ‘retailtainment’ shopping experience to Qatar.
Visitors who will book at any QA flights to Qatar from within the GCC region during the festival will get 25% discount and double Q-miles.
“Shop Qatar gives us an amazing opportunity to offer our award-winning services to more travellers, welcome them on board, and inviting them to stay and shop in Qatar,” QA senior vice president (Middle East, Africa and Pakistan) Ehab Amin said.
QTA's Festivals and tourism events director Mashal Shahbik and Ezdan World general manager Abdelaziz al-Mohannadi were also present at the press conference.