Doha: Doha has made into Forbes’ top 15 places to visit in 2019. This proves the growing stature of Qatar as a tourist destination among international travellers.

Recently Doha was picked by The New York Times in their ‘52 Places to Go in 2019’ list.

Photo by Flavius Torcea

 

The Forbes report also noted that Qatar has become more and more self-reliant since 2017, after the blockade was imposed by some of its neighbours.

“Instead of driving the people apart, it (blockade) forced residents to come together, rallying their support around the ruling family, who is beloved for their focus on education (a dozen Western universities have campuses here), health care (several new hospitals have opened), sports (soccer stadium construction is afoot for the 2022 FIFA World Cup), and the arts (the Jean Nouvel-designed National Museum of Qatar is slated to open in March),” Forbes said.

The article also made special mention about the Msheireb Downtown Doha and the Msheireb Museums.

“Careful attention to cultural preservation make Doha feel more authentic than nearby Dubai,” it added.

The places other than Doha mentioned in the list of 15 are: Montenegro, Chile, Perth  and Tasmania in Australia, Chengdu in China, Puerto Rico, Egypt, Berlin in Germany, Baja Peninsula in Mexico, Dolomites in Italy, Japanese Countryside, Namibia, Israel and Texas in USA.

The Forbes said that travellers flying Qatar Airways can take advantage of the stopover programme by the airlines in association with National Tourism Council of Qatar and enjoy the country for four days.

Qatar is also one of the freest countries in the region offering visa-free entry for a large number of nationalities.

“Shop for goods in the Souq Waqif and check out its too-cute-for-words Falcon Hospital, see horses train and race at Al Shaqab Equestrian Center, Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque, the stunning I.M. Pei-designed Museum of Islamic Art, check out the artists in residence at the Fire Station art complex and Katara Cultural Center, and go dune bashing in the desert,” Forbes concluded.

Source: The Peninsula 

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