‘Summer in Qatar’ campaign kicks off

The ‘Summer in Qatar’ campaign, organised by Qatar Tourism (QT), kicked off Thursday with the staging of the first of three 'Alice in Wonderland’ – cirque shows at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall.The campaign, in collaboration with Qatar Airways and Ooredoo, offers an array of indoor entertainment and family-friendly shows throughout the summer season.‘Alice in Wonderland’ treated the audience with a combination of musical theatre and modern ballet, in addition to a spectacular circus and acrobatic performances from 5pm yesterday. It will be taking place for three days: two shows at 3pm and 7pm today (July 15) and another two shows tomorrow (July 16) at 1pm and 5pm.Another award-winning show – ‘Aladdin and the Magic Lamp’ – is expected to fascinate families and children, for three days: July 21 (5pm), July 22 (3pm and 7pm), and July 23 (1pm and 5pm), also at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall.QT’s campaign is also bringing to Qatar another popular show, ‘The Smurfs – Live on Stage’ from July 28 to 30. Eight Smurf characters will take the centre stage at 5pm on July 28, 3pm and 7pm on July 29, and 1pm and 5pm on July 30.According to QT, tickets for all shows start at QR145 and can be purchased at Tixbox.com, Virgin Megastore and Q-Tickets.com.Summer in Qatar also provides residents and visitors an opportunity to avail of the various tour packages such as day trips and adventures, as well as staycations offered by operators and hotels.A diverse range of offerings can be viewed on Visit Qatar, QT's official website, which presents a variety of interests such as nature retreats, retail escapes and private dinner experiences.The website showcases several stunning destinations in the country, including the Al Safliya island (manta ray-shaped island) – known as one of Qatar’s uninhabited islands. It can be accessed through dhow boats or yachts and provides picturesque views for visitors.For adventure seekers, water activities such as scuba diving, stand-up paddle boarding, and kayaking in the mangroves at Al Thakira offer unique and curated experiences. QT noted that many hotels across the country offer promotional packages, which include stays with dining, spa and other selections. The campaign is expected to attract a huge number of local and international visitors, particularly from neighbouring GCC countries such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, further boosting Qatar’s tourism and hospitality sectors.