World Cup 2022 to make Qatar a top tourism destination: Indian actress

The 2022 FIFA World Cup will further open Qatar’s market for tourism as the host country is expected to receive a large number of foreign visitors in the lead-up to and during the prestigious tournament, popular Indian television actress Krystle D’Souza has said.

“The football event in 2022 will be fabulous and it will benefit Qatar in a lot of positive ways,” she told Gulf Times during an interview at W Doha Hotel recently. D’Souza was on her second visit to Doha from July 2 to 5 for a holiday with her parents and some friends, celebrating her ‘Best Actor Comedy’ accolade she received at the Zee Gold Awards 2018 recently. The 28-year-old actress had also won the Indian Television Academy Award for ‘Most Stylish Actress Offscreen' in 2015 and the title of Most Fit Actor (Female) at the Zee Gold Awards’ in 2012, among other accolades.“It is for people (from different parts of the world) to realise that Qatar is a fun place to be in; the people are so friendly and loving and there is also so much luxury around,” the actress stressed.Citing the different places she visited in Qatar, D’Souza expressed confidence that the country could become one of the top tourist destinations not only in the region but also globally.She believes people will start coming to Doha in bigger numbers “from now on” as football fans are excited to experience the country’s many tourism offerings.“Four years from now, I see a bustling Doha because everyone will be here for the World Cup. So do I, I want to be here, too. FIFA (World Cup) is huge, football is huge, globally,” said D’Souza.“I will try to come back in December when the weather is good,” she added. “I have visited (Banana Island Resort Doha by) Anantara for three hours but this time I want to stay there for a while, a day or two, just to relax, go to the spa and stuff like that.”The actress was all praise for Qatar’s tourism and cultural attractions such as the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), Katara – the Cultural Village, Souq Waqif, Msheireb Museums and The Pearl-Qatar, saying these places have a lot to offer. She said she enjoyed her visit to Msheireb Museums, which tells stories on the Arab culture, oil and gas, etc. “The view at MIA was breathtaking, it is like the perfect view for me to have a proposal or something,” D’Souza quipped. “You can see the old and new Doha, the beautiful skyline, and the water is so blue, the arcs that are just placed correctly and photo-friendly.”Beside the "huge malls and amazing restaurants” offering an array of local and international cuisines, she also lauded hotels in Qatar such as W Doha and The St Regis Doha for their “elegant and very subtle” features.“I fell in love with the city and everything here,” said D’Souza.