Its growing tourism industry is one of the top reasons to visit Qatar. This peninsula in the Persian Gulf transformed itself from a poor British protectorate to one of Middle East’s richest countries. Despite its lack of natural attractions save for a few desert landscapes, Qatar makes up for it with some of the most fascinating infrastructures, from ancient forts to modern buildings.
If you’ve never been to this country, then the top reasons to visit Qatar can help you decide.
Rising sports tourism. With Qatar becoming a favourite venue for high-profile sports events, the country is attracting a new breed of tourists: sports enthusiasts. With their state-of-the-art sports facilities (some of which are in the works), it is no surprise that this country was chosen to host the 2022 FIFA World cup.
No language barriers. One of the top reasons to visit Qatar is that you won’t have any problem communicating with locals. While Arabic is the official language in Qatar, English is widely spoken here not only by locals, but also by guest workers from different parts of the world.
The Pearl Qatar. The much-anticipated The Pearl-Qatar Island is not only an exclusive residential area but also a holiday destination, with beaches, 5-star hotels and shopping complexes which carry some of the world famous luxury brands.
The Qanat Quartier of the Pearl-Qatar features a community that resembles the famous Italian Venice with its extensive canal systems.
Historical sites. Learn more about the history of Qatar through some of the historical landmarks in Qatar. The Zubara Fort is one of the most famous historical landmarks in the country. Constructed in 1938, the Zubara Fort was built on top of the remains of an older castle. It was once a station for coast guards until the 1980’s. Today, it is now a museum which houses pottery, coins and other artefacts found in the nearby archeological site of Al-Zubarah.
A unique shopping experience. Qatar has shopping malls which sell well-known luxury brands, but for a different shopping experience, head out to the Souq Waqif for a more traditional retail therapy. Shop for souvenirs, handicrafts and spices in some of the little shops in Souq Waqif. There’s also a Gold Souq where you can purchase jewelleries, precious stones, gold and silver.
The Doha Heritage Village is another great place to shop for souvenirs as well as observe traditional pearl trading and weaving.
This article was originally published on www.paramounttravel.com. Read the original here.
*Image of Souq Waqif, Qatar via Shutterstock
*Image of Fort Zubarah via Shutterstock
