There is a new attraction in town as officials have unveiled the Old Doha Port that has been developed as a township and a tourist destination during the World Cup.
Executive director of the Old Doha Port Mohamed Abdulla al-Mulla said, at a press conference, that it took four years to transform Doha port into a new tourist destination and a marina for cruise ships, after the transfer of cargo operations to Hamad Port.
He stressed that the project was built on an area of 800,000sq m, confirming that it contains a main terminal for passengers, which receives more than 300,000 tourists annually, according to the expectations by Qatar Tourism, and will also receive visitors through cruise ships.
Officials announcing details of the project.
Al-Mulla stressed that the project will leave a legacy after hosting the World Cup to serve the State, highlighting that the official opening of the port will be before the start of the World Cup, and the working hours will be from 4pm to 10pm until Nov. 15. After the formal opening it will be from 4pm to 2am before the World Cup events, stressing that all shops inside have been rented out.
He underlined that the project includes a mixed-use area with more than 50 cafes and restaurants, and more than 100 shops, and most of which will be dealing in marine activities and water sports. It also includes 150 hotel apartments, and a main hotel with 30 rooms, adding that the design of the project was inspired by shipping containers, and a new city was built inside it inspired by Qatari architecture, especially houses located on the Qatari coast.
Al-Mulla said the port has three types of berths – one for receiving yachts, a marina for small-sized yachts, and 30 wooden boats to be floating hotels to receive World Cup guests, emphasising that the port will receive visiting vessels, and 50 parking spaces were allocated to receive mega yachts 50 to 160 metres long, with many reservations for these yachts.
Al-Mulla said the port will host three mega floating hotels during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 that has a capacity for 12,000 people. He added that the floating hotels will arrive on November 10, 14 and 18.
The port is part of the Corniche and the same procedures for the Corniche area apply. The Hayya Card or official permits are needed for employees, tenants and guests to enter the area. The Metro station near the National Museum of Qatar is 500m from the port.
Mohamed Nabil al-Atwan, head of operations and projects at Old Doha Port, said that the port provides facilities and shops that include water supplies, changing rooms and toilets, in addition to stores that are allocated on a daily or temporary basis.
The port includes 5km of environmentally friendly and comfortable Tartan running tracks and 5km of cycling paths, and all these facilities are interspersed with gardens and green spaces over an area of 200,000sq m.
He noted that the project will provide promising investment opportunities for the private sector, adding that there is also a fish market and shops that will serve tourists and provide supplies for the sea.
Further, al-Atwan said the port will be the headquarters of Al Kass Channel’s main studio during the tournament.
He added it is equipped with giant screens, and it will be a source of attraction for visitors.
