*PM lays foundation stone for amusement centre in Lusail City
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani witnessed Monday the signing of a contract to establish and operate the 'Doha Winter Wonderland' project between Qatari Diar, Qatar Tourism and Elegancia Group.
The project will be ready starting from 2022 on Al Maha Island in Lusail city.
The prime minister laid the foundation stone for the Doha Winter Wonderland project, and listened to a briefing about the project, which is spread over 200,000 sqm of land, and includes six areas for amusement games and marine sports, in addition to a marine club, family chalets, and an area for parties and various events.
A number of ministers and senior officials also attended the signing ceremony.
The contract is for a period of five years starting from 2022.
According to a release issued by Elegancia, the project is expected to start receiving visitors before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The signing of the contract was attended by HE Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari, Minister of Finance, HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Qassim al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Qatari Diar, Chairman of Qatar Tourism HE Akbar al-Baker, Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, CEO of Qatari Diar, Moataz al-Khayat, Chairman of Elegancia Group and Frank Guinari, CEO of IMG for the Middle East and North Africa, along with many dignitaries.
The project was proposed by Qatari Diar as a unique investment opportunity for the private sector in cooperation with Qatar Tourism. A large number of local and international investors submitted their proposals and offers for the project. A joint committee between Qatari Diar Company, Qatar Tourism and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry studied the submitted offers. The Elegancia Group won this investment opportunity to finance, implement and operate the project.
Al Maha Island is located in the eastern side off the coast of the Marina and Tarfa Lusail area. It is the location of a group of international hotels and tourist facilities, in addition to the new luxury shopping center Place Vendôme.
The "Doha Winter Wonderland" project includes six gaming areas with more than 50 world-class games for different ages. The project will be operated by IMG - International Marketing Group, the global company specialised in operating events , including the operation of "Hyde Park Winter Wonderland" in Hyde Park London.
In addition to a beach club, family chalets, a public area for holding various parties and events, a sports area, restaurants and cafes, as well as a walkway and a huge car park, the project has facilities to offer all services to ensure a unique tourist experience. The project is scheduled to be ready before the start of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
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Elegancia said it will be a new tourist destination to all the residents of Qatar and the World Cup guests. With the World Cup tournament approaching, Qatar Tourism is working hand in hand with Qatari Diar to take the necessary steps and initiatives to develop and revitalize the sector by involving investors in the development and construction process. This huge project in the modern city of Lusail, is considered as an important addition to the country's entertainment facilities.
On this occasion, HE al-Baker said, "This project, which will be a qualitative addition to tourism projects in Qatar, is more than just a games area. It is rather an integrated entertainment destination comparable to the most prominent international entertainment centres.
“This project will add a new entertainment destination to the growing list of global tourist destinations in Qatar. It will serve both those inside Qatar and visitors during the next five years, especially during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The project is planned to be launched before the start of the World Cup next year."
HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani, Chairman of Qatari Diar, said, "Once this project is completed, it will not only be targeting domestic tourism, but will also go beyond that to become a remarkable and distinctive addition to the growing list of world-class tourist destinations in Qatar."
For his part, Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah stated, “ Lusail City is planned to be the city of the future, which will embrace social diversity and advanced infrastructure. In addition to integrated services, whether governmental or private, and large local and international institutions and entities, Lusail City is to add an entertainment destination with international specifications such as “Doha Winter Wonderland.”
"Qatari Diar is always keen to offer various investment opportunities constantly within Lusail City to investors and the private sector in various fields. The “Doha Winter Wonderland” project is one of these investment opportunities to support and enhance the role of the private sector in investing in Lusail City.
"This project is planned to start receiving visitors before the start of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 despite the challenges of its implementation in a short period of time i.e. less than a year. We believe in the strength of the partnership between Qatari Diar, Qatar Tourism and Elegancia Group, and the real desire of these parties to realise this outstanding achievement, God willing.”
