Doha, November 06 (QNA) - Tourism in Qatar brings together modern and traditional styles in its architectural designs which visitors to Qatar can see in the old markets, museums, skyscrapers, unrivaled sports venues, hotels and malls. All these reflect Qatar's cultural movement rich in local identity and open to the cultures of the world.

Qatar is an inspiring land of peace, security and authentic Arabic hospitality that gives you an unforgettable experience.

In the midst of this development and modernization, cities in Qatar combine between ancient past and fascinating present, as visitors to Qatar who stay in one of the skyscrapers can enjoy visiting the remains of ancient villages and castles in the Qatari towns and contemplate some of its Arab-Qatari-Islamic architecture without forgetting the pleasure of the popular markets, which the state is making great efforts to maintain, as they tells important chapters of the history of Qatar in architecture, art, commerce and old life in general.

Qatar enjoys a vast cultural diversity that gives the visitor a unique experience, as diverse cultures reside in one place. The communities residing in the country from different nations add more cultures of the peoples, reflecting the depth of communication and openness to different cultures.

In addition to this amazing cultural diversity, museums and archeological sites in the country add another dimension to tourism. Qatar Museums actively and effectively enrich cultural tourism and focus heavily on engaging the local community and foreign visitors to enter the world of cultural life by providing self-guided tours to them and offering visitors a personal journey through the museums and galleries of Qatar museums and heritage sites.

For example, historical sites give you a historical view of the past of Qatar and the region in general. Sitting on the coast of northern Qatar is Al Zubarah, an ancient town which located 100 kilometers from Doha. It is one of the most important historical landmarks in the State of Qatar that includes also an archaeological fort that is itself a landmark that tells the history of the city.

Al Zubarah was once a flourishing port bustling with fishermen and merchants, and was one of the largest trade points in the region, particularly for pearl trade. The area was registered in 2009 as a protected area.

In 2013, the World Heritage Committee inscribed Al Zubarah Archaeological Site into the UNESCO World Heritage List. The site includes three major features, the largest of which are the archaeological remains of the town, dating back to the 1760s.

Connected to it is the settlement of Qal'at Murair, which was fortified to protect the city's inland wells. Al Zubarah Fort was built in 1938 and is the youngest, most prominent feature at the site.

Built in the heart of the desert 110 km northwest of Doha is Al Rakayat Fort which is dating back to the 19th century. A freshwater well sits in the fort and the scattered remains of a village can be found nearby.

Al Rakayat is the Arabic word for 'well' and it is believed that the fort was built to protect the essential sources of water in the area. It is a typical of desert forts, with three rectangular towers and one cylindrical one. Three sides of the central courtyard are aligned with narrow rooms without windows and doors that open onto the light and spacious courtyard.

There are other ancient forts on the north-western coast of Qatar that can also be visited in Freiha, Ruwayda, Al Yousufiya, Bir Hussain, Thaqab and Zikrit.

On the eastern coast, there are forts at Al Huwaila, Zarqa and Athba, and in the areas surrounding Doha, at Al Koot, Umm Salal Mohammed and Al Wajba, Qatar's oldest fort. 

         The popular markets in Qatar " Doha Souq Waqif and Wakra Souq Waqif are unforgettable experience to visitors. They have been restored to preserve these historical monuments, and to form spaces for citizens, residents and visitors, but with the taste of Qatari history and culture.

          The Doha Souq Waqif, with its winding stone-paved corridors, and its various fine restaurants offering various dishes from the East and the West, becomes a center for special souvenirs, or for lovers of carpets and Bedouin textiles, Arab coffee pots, incense burners, traditional copper tools, jeweled jewelry boxes, miniature models for sailboats and artisan crafts. It is also an art square that hosts musical festivals in different seasons of the year, like " Souq Waqif Spring, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha festivals" and other musical festivals by the Arab artists, as well as various bouquets of heritage and entertainment activities for families.

           Al Wakra city, located south of the capital, has its traditional market ( Al Wakra Souq Waqif ), which is similar in design and restaurants to " Doha Souq Waqif ." There is also an old market in Doha known as the Omani market, containing traditional, and agricultural products such as dates and herbs treated for livestock and others.

         Museums in Qatar are another tourist attraction, and another destination for visitors looking for the past. The Museum of Islamic Art in the capital Doha is the most important museum of its kind in the world. It contains collections and masterpieces belonging to different communities, collected from the houses of princes, kings and ordinary people. Although the pieces in the Museum's collections are primarily related to Islam, many of them reflect another pattern of art. The museum does not only impress you by its possessions, but also its building, designed by the famous architect IM Pei is a masterpiece and a prominent Qatari milestone.

          The museum features a variety of cultural events and exhibitions throughout the year. Activities outside the main building extend to the adjacent garden, which is a social venue with activities all year round, including film shows, sports activities, art workshops and other events.

          The collection of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art is a unique survey of 20th and 21st century modern and contemporary art from the Arab World, the Middle East, and wider geographies of Africa, Asia and Europe that are historically connected to Qatar and the Arab Peninsula.

            The galleries dedicated to the permanent collection bring together landmark artists and pivotal works that redefine art practices and art historical narratives. Major themes of aesthetics and politics of change and progress within multiple modernities and histories of art and society are addressed: the rise of nation states; colonial struggles and post-independence projects of reconstruction; the development and influence of the oil industry; the birth of new urban centers and cities; and aspirations to progress in a global, hyper digitalized and networked era. 

        Sports in Qatar have a museum which is Qatar Olympic and Sport Museum, that undoubtedly embodies Qatar's relationship to sport. Even before its opening, the museum has begun organizing temporary exhibitions that present sport in a cultural spirit.

         The museum is expected to be a widely recognized national and international center for sports history, heritage and knowledge, promoting and encouraging academic research.

         Qatar's Orientalist Museum is the only institution of its kind. It is dedicated to Orientalism - an influential period in art history, based around Western artists' first experiences and impressions of the 'oriental' East.

          All these museums and others reflect the new concept and goal pursued by Qatar Museums Authority (QMA), which is to be a cultural catalyst for a new generation of creators through cultural activities and international art exhibitions.

           The Fire Station Artist in Residence sits at the heart of Doha's flourishing art community. It provides the perfect springboard for creativity.

            In addition to these cultural monuments and archaeological sites, there is the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) with its unique location on the banks of the Gulf and its unique design that imitates old neighborhoods. It always hosts cultural and artistic activities.

            Since the year 150 AD, "Katara" was the first and most ancient name designated for Qatar Peninsula in geographic and historical maps. 

       Years ago, Qatar attracted the world by organizing the tops sports events, and hosting many major tournaments, such as tennis, squash and rally competitions, Doha also hosted the Doha Asian Games 2006, and The 2011 AFC Asian Cup, and succeeded in organizing the international friendly match between Brazil and England in November 2009, as well as organizing The Super Derby of the Latin Americas between Brazil and Argentina.

       Qatar has also hosted the 2015 World Men's Handball Championship and has hosted many international and regional championships, making it the destination of athletes and sports fans all over the world.

        Doha brought the giants of football in the Italian league , when they hosted the final of the Italian Super Cup twice in a row, where fans were waiting for pleasure and excitement, so the presence of bright names playing football on Doha is an event that is not repeated every day for the fans of the game, and It is a dream for them, but Doha was on the promise to achieve their dream.

         The annual calendar in the State of Qatar has many events related to the tournaments it hosts, including Qatar Commercial Bank's annual golf tournament , Qatar ExxonMobil Open, Qatar Tour (cycling), Qatar International Rally (motor), Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar, Qatar Total Open , World Fencing Championships by the International Fencing Federation (FIA) and The IAAF Diamond League .

        Qatar also organizes high-caliber equestrian events, both show jumping and full horse racing during the winter months.

         On the other hand , Doha hosts about 20 sports events during the quarter, most of which are global events, making it an important part of Qatar's thriving business and events sector, while hosting 60 conferences each year.

         Qatar also has one of the world's most important sporting centers, which is the Qatar Sports City (ASPIRE Zone), it is a global level complex for sport and recreation, leisure and fitness, which has already trained England football team.

      The ASPIRE4SPORT Congress and Exhibition, which has been organized by Doha, is the only one of its kind in the region. It allows for all the sports decision-makers in the Middle East and the world to have a unique platform to connect and seize the real investment opportunities in the world of sport. It also attracts some of the most prominent sports investors.

        In addition, Qatar's educational institutions are characterized by their international excellence, especially the Education City, which includes a number of universities around the world in different disciplines, as well as other destinations for students from different countries of the region, or through its academic, research and scientific activities throughout the year.

         Medical tourism, leisure and family entertainment occupy an important role in the tourism map of Qatar, as the country has an international facilities which related to this this area, and a clear and ambitious vision recently culminated in the launch of 'Qatar National Tourism Strategy 2030' inspired by Qatar National Vision 2030.

      In this context, the Hospitality sector has a special place in the State of Qatar not only for its role in promoting the tourism sector and providing all the comforts of Qatar residents and visitors, but also represents a natural extension of Qatar's culture and heritage.

       Hotels are one of the main attractions for tourists coming to Doha from around the year and will cater to the large number of visitors expected to come to Qatar in light if the continued preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

         A recent report by the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) revealed that the hospitality industry witnessed a significant growth as preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Cup are being continued, where the number of rooms grew by 9 percent, in addition to the 117 hotel facilities in operation, which brings the total to around 23 thousand rooms.

        The report also pointed out that the total number of hotel rooms still under construction is 20580, of which 8433 are five-star rooms (41 percent of the total number), 3476 four-star rooms (17 percent) and 1132 three-star rooms.

       According to the report, the hotel rooms under construction included 2063 luxury hotel apartments (10 percent of the total number) and 529 standard hotel apartments (3 percent) in addition to100 two-star rooms.

         QTA pointed that the number of hotel rooms currently available is 10365 five-star rooms (45 percent), 8021 four-star rooms (35 percent) and 2268 three-star rooms in addition to 254 two-star rooms and more than 2000 luxury and standard hotel apartments.

       Doha hotels are witnessing a high occupancy rate of more than 90 percent in many times, supported by the Qatar Tourism Authority and other promotional activities that serve not only attracting visitors from the Gulf countries and the world but also Qatar's citizens and residents, as well as the facilities enjoyed by visitors coming to the state.

        QTA has completed plans and feasibility studies for the development of several tourism projects in preparation for putting them up as investment opportunities. These are development plans including visitor centers and outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, camping, camel riding, kayaking and other activities.

         In addition, investors have been invited to turn the Doha Exhibition Center into a family entertainment center. QTA is currently reviewing the bid it received in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Commerce.

      The State of Qatar also has several shopping malls that aim to provide all the attractions for citizens, residents, visitors and tourists, with a lot of entertainment along with the largest and best international brands.

     The malls and commercial complexes are distributed in many areas in the State of Qatar in order to make it easier for people in Qatar or the visitor to visit them.

      The story of tourism has not yet ended. Qatar has another appointment with new success stories, ambitious plans and quality projects, that will definitely change the concept of tourism in the region, especially after it decided to exempt the citizens of 80 countries from entry visa, in an effort to attract millions of tourists, who will live a real luxury, and an extraordinary experience in Qatar, the home of love and peace. (QNA)