| Issue 3

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 .

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 .

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

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 ).

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 .

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

24