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Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
@philhopkinsuk
2:00 AM 6th August 2022
travel

Qatar Trumpets New Tourist Attractions

 
Photo by Radoslaw Prekurat www.unsplash.com
Photo by Radoslaw Prekurat www.unsplash.com
A range of exceptional new tourist attractions will open across Qatar this year ahead of the FIFA World Cup which kicks off in November.

They include a winter-sun wonderland and a water sports paradise, just two of the developments that tourist chiefs say will add something special to the peninsula’s eclectic mix of attractions and activities.

One year after Qatar re-opened its borders to the world on 12 July 2021, Qatar Tourism has unveiled these latest attractions which, they say, build on the extensive tourism development strategy of the last few years.

Qatar aims to capitalise on the influx of over one million visitors expected for the FIFA World Cup 2022™ by showing the world its hidden treasures and unmissable holiday potential.

Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, Berthold Trenkel, said: “The countdown to the World Cup is well underway and there’s lots of world-class attractions to come before the matches begin.

“Amongst the buzz around the tournament itself we hope people are wowed by Qatar’s state-of-the-art new tourism developments, significantly boosting the country’s appeal as a leading holiday destination.

“There are new beaches for those looking for sun, sea and sand, theme parks and water sports hotels for the adventurous, and lots of new resorts, spas and restaurants for visitors seeking a more relaxing getaway.”

Five major upcoming openings

Winter Wonderland
Pack your shades and sun cream for the Doha Winter Wonderland, set to be launched in Qatar later this year on a sandy island. Instead of the icy cold temperatures that greet visitors at the famous sister event in Hyde Park, London, travellers to Doha Winter Wonderland will be able to relax on the beach under delightful average temperatures in the mid 20°Cs.

Doha Winter Wonderland will feature seafront chalets, restaurants, festival games, 50 rides, and cafes, bringing the festive spirit to the Middle East.

Situated near Lusail City just north of Qatar’s capital, the upcoming 200,000 square metre attraction will be operated by IMG (International Marketing Group), the same company that manages Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park each year.

Fuwairit Kite Beach (FKB)
FKB is an upcoming state-of-the-art kite beach resort in Fuwairit, a coastal village an easy hour drive north of Doha with excellent kitesurfing conditions thanks to consistent winds, ideal ocean water and powder-soft sands.

The resort is designed around the kitesurfer’s lifestyle with everything people need for the water as well as a yoga studio, fully equipped gym, restaurants, pool and more.

The Outpost Al Barari
The Outpost will be the first of its kind in Qatar, integrating close-to-nature experiences, sustainability, and luxury hospitality into one beautiful resort in the globally unique Inland Sea nature reserve.

Surrounded by soaring sand dunes and desert wilderness, 21 luxury lodges with private pools will provide the perfect retreat from hectic city life. Stargazing, hot air ballooning, and immersive desert walks where people will learn about the local wildlife will be among the experiences on offer, alongside “Emerge in Nature” spa treatments and culinary experiences.

Qetaifan Island North
Billed as the first “Entertainment Island” in Qatar, Qetaifan Island North will feature floating hotels, beach clubs and a water park with 36 rides – including “The Icon Tower” zone, featuring an 85-metre-high slide set to become the highest of its kind in the world.

Set over 1.3 million square metres, the island is close to the Lusail Stadium, where the final of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ will take place.

West Bay North Beach Project
West Bay North Beach is an extensive new tourism development being constructed, covering 40,000 square metres of a premium beachfront in the heart of Doha.

The public and private beach areas will offer three distinct beach experiences with a wide variety of food and beverage offerings, to create a sought-after city beach experience for everyone to enjoy.
The wave of new resorts and attractions adds to a flurry of openings in Qatar over the last couple of years. In March 2022 the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum launched as one of the world’s most innovative sports museums.

In 2021 one of the region’s largest theme parks, Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park, opened with 28 slides and rides. And last summer a theme park called Quest Doha was unveiled featuring the world’s tallest indoor rollercoaster.

For the latest on Qatar’s best attractions and vibrant calendar of events visit: www.visitqatar.com