72-hour visa for transit passengers soon
DOHA: Qatar is mulling issuing passengers transiting through Doha International Airport entry visas for 72 hours in a bid to promote the country as a major tourist destination in the Middle East.
Currently, under an innovative tourism promotion scheme launched in 2010 entitled ‘Qatar in 48 Hours’, passengers in transit are being issued entry visas for 48 hours.
Talking of the ‘Qatar in 48 Hours’ tourism promotion scheme, he said presently, only five percent of the total number of European and Asian passengers transiting through Doha are being issued 48-hour entry visas on request.
The aim of the above initiatives is to promote Qatar as a major tourism destination in the region, a place where visitors could enjoy the experience of shopping and tourism.
Thats the exact problem to encouraging tourism out here in this parts. The sad reality is that they have their minds and priorities focussed on Europe and the Americans while it is the Asians who are their largest ecconomic partners and who are their largest customers for their products
The current reality is that te visa is granted only to certain nasionalities. Many of my friends when travelling to europe and have to transit in Doha have been refused to get the visa!
i hope this is applicable to everyone...not just for the selected few...
Question - Would it be applicable to passport holders of only a few of the so called first world countries or to all who can show an onward ticket and the money to take care of their expenses during their stay out here. Countries like the UAE and Dubai in particular have recently realized that they were busy chasing the rich guys in Europe, America and Australia as tourists whereas their major visitors and tourists were the Chinese, Indians and other passport holders who contributed to their tourism growth
Then fly Emirates. Jeez!
But shoping is v.expensive.........compare to UAE
A positively good idea, how refreshing.