As malls in Qatar continue to receive an influx of visitors this Eid al-Fitr, the number of foreign visitors is expected to increase further with the easing of visa requirements for all nationalities throughout the summer season, it is learnt. 
The Ministry of Interior (MoI), in co-operation with the Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC), recently launched an electronic (e) notification system through the portal http://www.qatarvisaservices.com for those who want to travel to Qatar until August 16 – in time for the ‘Summer in Qatar (SiQ)’ programme.
According to MoI, residents in Qatar can now invite their relatives and receive an e-notification, allowing them to enter the country on a visa upon arrival and without any fees. 
Target groups also include friends, former Qatar residents, and family members.
“Due to the recent (easing of) visa regulations, we expect more visitors to Qatar and their spending will contribute to the country’s economy,” Al Khor Mall (managed by LuLu Hypermarket) manager Muthukrishnan R told Gulf Times. He noted that they received a positive feedback from retailers who recorded increase in sales compared to the previous year during the same period due to the festival season.
Muthukrishnan R said QNTC’s ‘Summer in Qatar’ programme, the biggest so far which offers an array of mall activities and retail promotions, is seeing a good rise in customer footfalls, especially families and children. He stressed that Al Khor Mall has been continuously supporting the projects of QNTC and participates in all promotion campaigns such as SiQ. 
“This is 7th consecutive year of participating with QNTC. This kind of promotions makes Qatar a unique destination in the GCC,” the mall manager added.
Hyatt Plaza Mall marketing executive Omar Sabahie echoed the same view saying the number of visitors this Eid al-Fitr exceeded the figures that of last year during the same period. “Customers spent fun-filled moments with their families and friends in an atmosphere full of joy and gladness, celebrating Eid al-Fitr holidays at Hyatt Plaza Mall,” he said.
Like other participating malls, Sabahie noted that Hyatt Plaza has also been consistently supporting the efforts of QNTC in attracting more visitors and making Qatar a favourite family destination. 
Hyatt Plaza Mall hosts live traditional games and contests for children, folkloric shows (Palestinian and Jordanian), and roaming shows (which conclude today/June 8) from 5pm to 10pm while Al Khor Mall featured magic show, puppet show, face painting, Arabic mascots and traditional performances such as Arda/Arabic Dabke dance, and Tannoura.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to avail huge discounts (up to 70%) and other retail promotions offered across nine participating malls (Doha Festival City, Mall of Qatar, Lagoona Mall, Landmark Mall, Gulf Mall, Tawar Mall, Al Khor Mall, Hyatt Plaza, and Al Mirqab Mall).
For every QR200 spent, a shopper qualifies for one of the three raffle draws where a total of over QR2mn cash and car prizes are at stake, with a MacLaren as the grand prize.  
According to QNTC, SiQ forms part of its strategy to enrich and diversify the country’s tourism offering, particularly in the area of family and urban entertainment. 
This year marks greater collaboration among QNTC’s partners in the public and private sectors, who have taken the initiative to create more tourism offerings. SiQ is part of QNTC’s focus on developing sustainable, year-round tourism, boosting a traditionally slower season in Qatar.
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