Nabil Amin: Popular markets rebound as the weather improves
Nabil Abu Yaqoub: Prices are moderate compared to other places
Fayez Al-Fayez: Comfort, safety and a beautiful atmosphere
Zaher bin Omar: Demand of visitors from various segments
Commercial complexes and stores gradually regained their activity after the end of the holiday season and the return of travelers, including Souq Waqif stores, which witnessed an increase in the demand of citizens and residents with the onset of moderate weather in the country and in light of the availability of all customers’ needs and the multiplicity and diversity of options before them, in addition to the revival of buying and selling activity, especially in perfume and accessory stores of various types for men and women.
Shopping centers and outlets in the country are witnessing a significant increase in the number of visitors, supported by the end of summer vacations and official holidays.
The retail sector recorded a large demand for sales, in addition to the increased competition in offering discount offers between sales outlets and shopping centers, which contributed mainly to the growth of sales and increased demand for restaurants and purchases, by more than 40%.
Return of turnout
Shopping centers and various sales outlets have offered a number of discounts on various packages of goods, including electronic devices, clothing, furniture and shoes, taking advantage of the recovery in demand and purchases.
National products participate in the displays of many commercial complexes, in light of the great demand they witness due to their distinguished quality and ability to compete with imported products in many sectors, which has prompted commercial complexes in the country to market and display them in prominent places within the markets to encourage consumers to choose national products.
Souq Waqif began to regain its daily rhythm, as a number of shop owners and customers confirmed the increase in sales activity with the increasing demand of citizens, residents and foreign tourists to the shops… Pointing out that the tranquil heritage atmosphere in light of the moderate weather attracts many visitors, including foreigners, along with many citizens and residents, which contributed to increasing the rate of sales and attracting visitors to a large extent.
The weather improved
Nabil Amin, a store supervisor, said: Souq Waqif is one of the important places in the State of Qatar that people enjoy during their visit and wandering around once the weather improves, and demand is expected to increase during the coming period, indicating that the market remains one of the favorite destinations for families and foreign visitors after the summer period. This is due to its traditional restaurants and cafes with a distinctive atmosphere suitable for visitors and families, in addition to perfumery, textile, and sweets shops and modern restaurants. He pointed out that this diversity in the market’s shops revives domestic tourism, and they always strive to improve the best by providing the finest services to the market’s customers.
Oud
Mazhar Al-Khuzai, a seller in one of the stores, confirmed that the market has begun to regain its activity after the summer period, which witnessed a stagnation in sales with a decline in demand for the market’s stores, and they often prepare for the winter season and increased demand by providing different types of original oud that citizens use in their homes and sitting areas, which is brought from India, Myanmar and Malaysia, pointing out that prices do not witness any increase during the seasons, as Burmese oud, which is the most expensive type, is sold at a price of 350 riyals, and classical oud is sold at 350 riyals. Indian for 200, Indian Moroi for 150 riyals, and finally Malaysian for 100 riyals per tola.
For their part, a number of visitors confirmed that Qatar is full of many places worth visiting to learn about its landmarks and enjoy its distinctive atmosphere, stressing that they moved with admiration between the various markets, commercial complexes and vital tourist facilities in Doha.
Fayez Al-Fayez, who came from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with his family, said that Doha is a beautiful city with its nature, its good people, and all the tourist facilities that we traveled between, such as Lusail, the old port of Doha, Souq Waqif, and other beautiful tourist areas and entertainment facilities in them, and when I am here, I do not feel a big difference between the surroundings in which I live in the Kingdom and the people I see and deal with in the State of Qatar, adding: We feel comfortable and safe here in the beautiful atmosphere.
Al-Fayez explained that Qatar is full of many distinctive tourist places, and Souq Waqif comes first for me, and any visitor should spend time there, then Msheireb City, the heart of Doha, and the old port of Doha, where we moved between these open places and others in light of this beautiful atmosphere, indicating that prices in Doha are good, including restaurant prices, while hotel prices in general are high.
Gulf family
For his part, Khaled Al-Shehri, from Saudi Arabia, said that Qatar respects the visitor and considers him a guest, and we are all one Gulf family united by true religion, culture and language as an Islamic nation, and we have family extensions everywhere in the Gulf countries. He pointed out that our presence here confirms our closeness as Arabs and Gulf people, and this is not the first time I have visited Doha, and it will not be the last.
Al-Shehri pointed out that the tourism development that Qatar has witnessed in recent years has contributed greatly to attracting more Arab and foreign tourists to it. He explained that the peoples of the Gulf are united by common values and historical fraternal relations, and we are now visitors to our second homeland due to the kindness and generosity we saw in many of the tourist places and facilities that we traveled between, especially Souq Waqif, with its heritage shops that attract many visitors, as well as beautiful restaurants and cafes.
Moderate prices
For his part, Nabil Abu Yaqoub praised the atmosphere that characterizes Souq Waqif, especially since the prices are moderate compared to the prices of stores in other tourist places, stressing that the market represents one of the favorite destinations for visitors because of its presence of stores that suit different groups and tastes at reasonable prices.
Ahmed Al-Hadrami, from one of the shops selling antiques and gifts, confirmed that the market represents one of the favorite destinations for visitors due to the presence of shops that suit different categories and tastes at reasonable prices, stressing that they are always striving to improve the best by providing the best pieces of gifts, antiques and accessories to market-goers from inside and outside the State of Qatar.
He noted that the market is one of the tourist and lively places in the State of Qatar, which witnesses great prosperity throughout the winter thanks to the influx of large numbers of tourists, especially to the heritage, antiques and gift shops, in addition to the cafes spread on both sides of the market.
Heritage atmosphere
Two tourists from Australia expressed their happiness with the sights and heritage atmosphere they saw in Doha, in addition to the good treatment of the Qatari people in many of the places they went. They toured many places and found kind and friendly people who were very courteous with us, and “it is a good impression that we often heard from those who came to Qatar, and this is what we saw in Doha from the beginning of our entry into the airport.”
“Jim,” one of the tourists, said that he liked the heritage shops a lot, indicating that he is attracted to countries whose climate is different from his country’s climate, and that Qatar was an important station for him to learn about the best examples of the Arab world and the Middle East region, whether according to what he read in the newspapers or what he saw on the ground. He explained that the cafes and small heritage shops in Souq Waqif attract him with their simplicity, despite the large malls and cafes with well-known brands operating in Doha.
He stressed that he felt great enthusiasm when he wandered around the tourist areas in the country or attended events, pointing out that the scenery that accompanied this traditional atmosphere was beautiful and reflected an aspect of traditional Arab culture, and that he and his wife wanted to get to know closely this culture that Souq Waqif, Doha Port, or the Cultural District provides to all foreign tourists.
Ahmed Al Yafei pointed to the tourism development in Qatar as well as the development of tourist facilities, stressing the keenness of many tourists to acquire some souvenirs such as small figurines of falcons and camels.
Qatari heritage
For his part, Zahir bin Omar said that many facilities have become tourist destinations that have recently emerged on the map of tourist sites in the country over the past years, noting the atmosphere they provide by hosting a number of events and activities that suit all members of society and the family. He stressed that restaurants, cafes and distinguished services have contributed to transforming Souq Waqif into a family and tourist destination that is popular with visitors from different segments and groups.