Doha set to stage six-week fun fest

Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA)  is to host a  six-week entertainment festival encompassing a broad range of activities, starting on October 6.
Organisers said yesterday that the festival, called Doha Park 2011, would feature more than 100 entertaining events and attractions, including an amusement park, international circus acts from Europe, Russia, Egypt and China, theatrical plays, concerts by international stars, a 3D cinema, performances by folkloric bands depicting the heritage of Qatar and other Arab countries and appearances by cartoon personalities.
There will be a play area for children under the age of 10, a live theatre and various fun athletic activities to suit tastes of all family members.
Lahdan al-Mohannadi, QTA’s head of local exhibitions, said  there would be a separate area for shopping with many stores, a children’s play zone, areas for bumper cars and rocket and video games.
More than 106  stalls will be set up, in addition to restaurants, rest areas and cafes providing access for special-needs visitors.  Competitions will be held offering prizes for winners.
The event will also hold an exhibition with more than 20 impressionist works of art, inspired by Eid al-Adha, and reflecting on aspects of the Qatari identity.
Organised by QTA in partnership with Economic Group, the festival will occupy 30,000 square meters at a newly-upgraded event area near the Doha Exhibition Centre and will run from October 6 to November 17, ending with Eid al-Adha celebrations.
Al-Mohannadi said that entry to activity areas would be free of charge. Nominal fees will be paid when using electric and electronic games at the amusement park.
He said the park would “offer more than 35 big electric games to suit all ages, video and skill games, many surprises and various programmes during the Eid days”.
Tickets for specific live events will be sold separately, with more information about concerts to be revealed in September.
A media marketing campaign will be launched through print, TV and radio in Qatar and neighbouring Gulf countries to attract  visitors  from the region. QTA has said that the number of GCC tourists visiting Qatar has increased nearly 40% and the number of international visitors increased more than 12% during the first half of 2011.
Isam al-Oweis, managing director, Economic Group, explained that while the investment in the project was significant, it would be an important step towards putting Qatar on the map for something other than sport, raising its profile as a tourist destination. He added that if the event was a success, then some parts of the festival may be relocated to a new site and become permanent features in Doha.