IN PHOTOS: Qatar Tourism concludes 8th edition of Shop Qatar

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Tourism has concluded the activities of the eighth edition of Shop Qatar Festival.

Shop Qatar is the largest shopping festival in Qatar, with this year’s edition themed  “Your World of Shopping”. With the participation of 13 of the top shopping districts and malls in the country, Shop Qatar 2024 ran from January 1 to 27, offering an assortment of activities suitable for all ages, exciting raffle draws, and wins of valuable cash prizes and new cars.

It gained wide popularity and great traction as it coincided with the launch of the ‘Hayakum Qatar’ campaign and the activities surrounding the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, which encouraged regional and international tourists to visit Qatar.

Speaking on the festival Sheikha Hessa Al Thani, Head of Marketing and Planning at Qatar Tourism, said: “Shop Qatar is an integral element in Qatar’s annual calendar, as it attracts residents and visitors alike enhancing family tourism in the country. This festival offers a range of activities, raffle draws, cash prizes, competitions, discounts, promotions, and entertainment shows that suit everyone, in addition to special activities for children.”

“Qatar Tourism works closely with all its partners in the public and private sectors to host family- friendly events and festivals that are well-known for their wonderful and safe atmosphere. On this occasion, we would like to congratulate the winners of the weekly draws that took place during the festival, and we hope that everyone that visited the shopping districts and malls had an exceptional shopping experience.”

Mirroring the success and wide turnout at the opening ceremony of Shop Qatar 2024, the curtain came down on the festival’s activities during a closing ceremony that included the announcement of the names of the winners of the last draw, at Doha Festival City. During the ceremony, it was announced that a total of seven lucky shoppers won valuable prizes and a Land Rover Defender.

The closing ceremony of Shop Qatar 2024 was filled with different activities and events creating a joyful and fun atmosphere. The surprise musical number by the artist Hammoud Al Khader was the highlight of the ceremony, as he performed the original track for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. The closing ceremony also saw a performance by the band Adem Crew, which won the Golden Buzzer from the talent show ‘America’s Got Talent’, a musical performance by Asian musicians, and a stunning performance by the Atai Omurzakov & Tumar KR group. Children had the opportunity to meet their favourite characters and watch the festivities.

At the closing of the festival, Omar Al Jaber, Director of Shared Services at Qatar Tourism, honoured the shopping malls, their teams, and brands at the ‘Retail and Mall Awards’ ceremony, in recognition of their contributions to the success of this year’s edition of the festival.

The winners were, Place Vendôme for the Highest Participation Award and Best Mall Award and Doha Festival City for Best Branding Award. Lastly, several mall employees from across the country for their active participation and roles during the festival.

This year, the festival offered special discounts and promotions, raffle draws, and cash prizes, as shoppers received a voucher to participate in the raffle draws for every 200 Qatari Riyals spent. The four weekly draws, which were held at Mall of Qatar, Msheireb Galleria, Place Vendôme, and Doha Festival City, respectively, offered four luxury cars, in addition to cash prizes worth QR50,000 won by four shoppers, QR20,000 won by eight winners, and QR10,000 for four winners.