Q Life Magazine Q Magazine (US) June 2017 | Page 24

Qatar and the US | | Issue 3 How Qatar Tourism Authority is Establishing Qatar as a Global Tourist Destination led by award-winning New York Times’ journalists. Nothing quite demonstrates the pursuit of a knowledge- based economy like “Art for Tomorrow,” which this year featured The New York Times Company Chairman of the Board, Arthur Sulzberger Jr., as well as renowned artists and journalists, including The New York Times’ Roger Cohen. | Museum of Islamic Art Over the past decade, Qatar’s tourism industry has developed into one of the country’s burgeoning trademarks and has an increasingly significant part to play in the Qatari economy. O ver the past decade, Qatar’s tourism industry has developed into one of the country’s burgeoning trademarks and has an increasingly significant part to play in the Qatari economy. Commercial Bank Qatar Masters golf tournament, the Qatar ExxonMobil Tennis Open, the Qatar International Rally (motor sport), and the Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar (Moto GP). Whether it’s relaxing on one of the country’s sparkling beaches, witnessing the thrill of an international sporting event, or experiencing magnificent displays of art and culture, travelers are beginning to see Qatar as a center of adventure. Tourism will be vital in Qatar’s efforts to diversify an economy that previously has been driven primarily by oil and natural gas revenues. In recent years, the Qatar Masters has featured famed American golfers such as John Daly and Ben Curtis, while participants in the Qatar ExxonMobil Tennis Open have included American legends Serena and Venus Williams. Doha is fast developing a reputation as the sporting capital of the Middle East. Qatar has hosted some of the world’s premier international sporting events. In addition to the 2011 AFC Asian Cup and 2015 World Handball Championships, Qatar will also host the prestigious FIFA World Cup in 2022, bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world to the Gulf peninsula. Additionally, Qatar hosts a number of annual sporting events popular with Americans, including the Also located in Qatar is the Zubarah Fort and surrounding 60-hectare archaeological works, a UNESCO-recognized heritage site that is one of the most extensive and best preserved examples of an 18th- 19th century settlement in the region. Moreover, Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art displays some of the finest art and artifacts from across the Islamic world, earning it recognition among the world’s top cultural institutions. To accommodate an influx of visitors in the coming years, Qatar has placed a strong emphasis on infrastructure development. Qatar is preparing for a massive wave of tourists in the coming years, and world travelers will surely not be disappointed upon arrival. | Zubarah Fort But sports are just the beginning in Qatar’s evolution into a rich cultural destination. Since 2015, Doha has hosted the annual New York Times “Art for Tomorrow” conference, which attracts over 200 world-renowned art and cultural influencers from more than 30 countries. The conference invites those with knowledge from all across the globe, and aims to investigate the issues that occupy the territory between art and public life, featuring interviews and solution-oriented discussions | Katara cultural village, Doha 24 25