Demand is growing for mementos, souvenirs and other gift items bearing Qatari themes and images of major landmarks in the country.
The spike in sales is attributed to a wave of patriotism following the blockade imposed on Qatar by some Gulf Arab states. Though such articles usually have good sales in the weeks preceding the Qatar National Day celebrations, demand from customers has exceeded the expectations of shopkeepers.
"There are items starting from QR10 to QR100 or even more," said an official at Safari Mall which has huge collections of such souvenirs and mementos. Inquiries found there has been a good demand for images of landmarks such as Torch Hotel, Souq Waqif, Zubara Fort, Clock Tower and Rayyan Fort among others.



Souvenirs depicting Qatari landmarks.

Cashing in on the popularity of football across the region, particularly in Qatar, which is hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, models of football trophy in different sizes are also on sale. Mementos and souvenirs that could be used as wall hangings are also displayed at shops.
There are also Qatar-themed T-shirts, crockery wares, and wall pictures. It was found that expatriates going on vacation are mainly buying miniature models of the local landmarks. Souvenir shops at Souq Waqif too are also receiving a good number of customers, many of them visitors from Western destinations.
"Apart from Qatari landmarks, some of them are also asking for models of dhows. The specialty of many of the items sold here is that they are made locally," said a shopkeeper at Souq Waqif.