Hamad International Airport Brings the ‘Summer in Qatar’ Programme to the Terminal with Exciting Passengers Experience

Hamad International Airport (HIA), in collaboration with Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC), Qatar Airways and Qatar Duty Free, is celebrating the biggest ‘Summer in Qatar’ programme yet with an array of summer activities and experiences across the terminal. Whether passengers are transferring, arriving or departing in HIA, the state-of-the-art airport offers a gateway to experience Qatar’s rich hospitality and culture throughout the summer season.

HIA is set to host a range of exciting activities and entertainment for passengers traveling through the airport to experience, that promote the country’s ‘Summer in Qatar’ offerings, which include cultural excursions to world-class entertainment, positioning Qatar as a year-round global tourist destination.

More than 7 million passengers are forecasted to travel through Qatar’s hub during the summer peak period (July and August 2019). The second quarter of 2019 has been the busiest Q2 period for the airport yet, which is a testament to its growth.

Commenting on the festivities at the airport, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer at Hamad International Airport stated: “We are pleased to collaborate with QNTC, Qatar Airways and Qatar Duty Free to offer our passengers a diverse selection of summer activities across the airport. HIA is the gateway to the State of Qatar and it is important that we give passengers a chance to experience Qatar’s expanding entertainment and culture.”

 Al Meer further stated: “The plethora of ‘Summer in Qatar’ activities at HIA are strategically located across the terminal to ensure all travellers get to enjoy and participate in the activities offered at the airport. Passengers transferring for more than five hours have the opportunity to visit Qatar and experience more of its ‘Summer in Qatar’ festivities through our stop over programme. Most importantly, we hope it gives everyone transferring through HIA a taste of Qatar’s unparalleled hospitality and authentic experiences.”

 A wide range of activities is located in the Heritage Zone in Concourse B for passengers to experience and learn more about the Qatari culture and hospitality. In a traditional tent setting, activities will include calligraphy writing and henna tattoos. Passengers will also have the chance to see cultural handicraftsmen at work like prayer bead producers, basket weavers, and pearl jewellery makers. To add to the cultural experience, magnificent live performances will also take place such as the Horse Dances, a traditional dance performed in a horse-shaped box decorated with coloured cloth, beads and gold jewellery as well as Funoon Bahria, Jalsat Tarab and Oud playing.

The ‘Summer in Qatar’ activities located in Concourse C will include a dedicated ‘Kids Zone’ to cater to families and provide them with entertainment whilst traveling through the airport. A variety of activities will be offered for children of all ages such as kids’ yoga, kite and paper plane making, as well as a giant painting wall for kids to showcase their creativity.

Travellers will also be able to enjoy up to 60% off their purchases when shopping from an extensive range of favourite brands and products available at Qatar Duty Free, the exclusive retailer at the state-of-the-art HIA.

Rashed Al-Qurese, Chief Marketing Officer, Qatar National Tourism Council, stated: “HIA is the first port of call for the majority of visitors, and is sometimes their sole experience of Qatar.  As such, it is an important partner in enhancing the visitor experience, and we are pleased to work together to promote Qatar as a destination this summer and beyond.  Home to a world class airline and award winning airport, there is much to experience in Qatar, and through this partnership we hope that more travellers will venture out and partake in all that Qatar has to offer. Through partnerships with multi-party stakeholders, QNTC works to further develop and enhance the tourism sector in Qatar.”

This initiative marks HIA’s commitment and contribution towards Qatar’s National Vision 2030 by promoting Qatar as a destination of choice and, encouraging tourism as a mean to celebrate Qatar’s heritage and culture to build bridges of understanding in an increasingly connected world. HIA will also have the opportunity to showcase its five-star airport facilities, Smart Airport technology, and its world-class shopping, dining and leisure experiences to passengers flying in and out of HIA during the summer season.

The ‘Summer in Qatar’ programme forms an integral part of QNTC’s strategy to enrich and diversify the country’s tourism offering, particularly in family and urban entertainment. Thanks to their collaborative efforts of partnerships in both the public and private sectors, Qatar has become a popular year-round destination.