Travel & Tourism PAGE | 2 PAGE | 04 Hamad International Airport Doha emerges candidate for Skytrax as cruise ‘World’s Best Airport 2020’ tourism hub SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT SPONSORS TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2019 Qatar a must-visit tourist destination RAYNALD C RIVERA draws with even bigger prizes to be won, important aspects of the jewellery and around the world demonstrating the flair partnership with Qatar National THE PENINSULA in addition to entertainment for the watches industry featuring some of the in their craft to visitors as well as a host Tourism Council, ‘Qatar Live’ brought entire family. Shop Qatar’s previous edi- Who’s Who in the sector. of entertaining shows. global superstar Katy Perry, legendary he varied exciting events tions have distributed millions in cash Counting as another reason to visit In addition, visitors can also look band Maroon 5, international Latin lined up in the coming and car prizes to lucky winners. Qatar during this season is the Qatar forward to a number of events and activ- music star Maluma, international months make up some of There’s also the Doha Jewellery International Food Festival (QIFF) which ities for the yet to launch Qatar-France music legend Cheb Khaled and the the reasons why visitors and Watches Exhibition (DJWE), which showcases the vibrant culinary scene of Year of Culture scheduled to begin Middle East region’s most famous should choose Qatar as is considered one of the largest and the country and the diverse menus sometime next month. music stars Fahad Al Kubaisi, Yara, their winter destination. fastest-growing luxury exhibitions in offered by its ever-growing hotels, res- There’s more to look forward to Omar Al Abdallat, Ibrahim Dashti, and TAmong the much anticipated events the region and one of the longest taurants and cafes (HORECA) sector. for visitors in Qatar after the success Rahma Riad on Doha stage through a during the season is the fourth edition running in the country marking its 17th More and more hotels, restaurants of the recently concluded 24th Arabian series of concerts. of Shop Qatar- the ultimate nationwide edition. and cafes are enriching Qatar’s culinary Gulf Cup Qatar 2019 and FIFA Club Electronic dance music (EDM) fans shopping festival which promises Running for about a week, DJWE landscape, dozens of which provide World Cup Qatar 2019 which wit- also enjoyed the Daydream Festival unbeatable promotions and unprece- sees hundreds of well-known luxury QIFF visitors’ taste buds a treat of their nessed sport fans from around the brought to Qatar for the first time fea- dented discounts for shopaholics. brands from around the world put on mouthwatering creations. world fly to Doha to watch the exciting turing some of the best DJs including Running for several weeks, Shop show their most exquisite collections of However, there’s more to QIFF than games, as well as ‘Qatar Live’ which Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Robin Schulz, Qatar is a real treat for bargain hunters fine jewellery and timepieces. sampling the varied cuisines on offer. provided a fantastic line-up of world- Sam Feldt, Matt Sochon, Wankelmut, with huge promotions in different shops Along with the exhibition are work- The festival also brings to the table more class music events. Afrojack, Lost Frequencies, Mark Knight, at participating malls coupled with raffle shops and talks for the public on features including celebrity chefs from Presented by Qatar Airways in Steff Da Campo, and Matt Sochon. There’s more to look forward to for visitors in Qatar after the success of the recently concluded 24th Arabian Gulf Cup Qatar 2019 and FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 which witnessed sport fans from around the world fly to Doha to watch the exciting games, as well as ‘Qatar Live’ which provided a fantastic line-up of world-class music events. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dr. Khalid Mubarak Al-Shafi ACTING MANAGING EDITOR EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS SUPPLEMENT COORDINATOR DESIGN Mohammed Salim Mohamed Sachin Kumar, Raynald C Rivera, Ahmed Eltigani Idris Abraham Augusthy Fazeena Saleem, Sanaullah Ataullah 2 Hamad International Airport candidate for Skytrax ‘World’s Best Airport 2020’ Currently holding the “Fourth-Best Airport in the World” and the “Best Airport in the Middle East” titles, HIA continuously works to improve all aspects of the passenger experience. amad Interna- tional Airport (HIA) is set to participate in the pres- tigious annual HSkytrax World Airport Awards ceremony which will take place in Paris on the April 1, 2020 for which HIA is a can- didate for the ‘World’s Best Airport 2020’. The Skytrax World Airport Awards is the most respected accolade for the airport industry, voted by passengers in the largest annual global airport customer satisfaction survey. The awards ceremony will take place at the Pas- senger Terminal Expo 2020 (PTE), the world’s leading international airport con- ference and exhibition. HIA’s participation at the Skytrax Awards, which has seen the airport move up the ranks over the years, having moved from the fifth position HIA voted ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ at in 2018 to its current position as the fourth best airport in the world. Global Traveler Reader Survey Awards 2019 This accomplishment has been instrumental in recog- amad International Airport Fitness Center where they can take a dip nising HIA as the gateway to (HIA) has been voted as the in the 25-metre swimming pool, play Qatar and the world, putting “Best Airport in the Middle Hamad International squash or get a reviving spa treatment Qatar on the map as a desti- East” for the third consec- Airport (HIA) has received tailored to their needs. Housing over 20 nation of choice for utive year at the 16th Annual the “Best Passenger international art pieces for travellers to passengers. HGlobal Traveler’s GT Tested Reader Survey Experience Initiative” enjoy and be intrigued by, HIA also reg- HIA’s success at the Awards in Los Angeles. The award rec- silver award at the Future ularly transforms into an innovative stage Skytrax World Airport Awards ognizes airports across the world for out- Travel Experience (FTE) for different forms of art and hosts activ- is also important in setting HIA standing performance in providing an Asia Awards 2019 in ities at the terminal for travellers to apart from other airports and exceptional experience to travellers. The Singapore on November interact with and create memorable in giving a lasting impression Global Traveler’s awards are highly sought 12 in recognition for the experiences. of Qatar’s modern, smart and after and respected as an unbiased second phase of its Smart HIA has also recently revealed its quality standard of living while reflection of the best in travel through an Airport Program. The FTE plans for its airport expansion with a spec- celebrating Qatar’s heritage open-ended reader survey. awards celebrate airports tacular 10,000 sqm indoor tropical and culture. HIA is a diverse lifestyle destination and airlines that have garden, a 268 sqm water feature as well HIA was classified by putting the passengers at the heart of the displayed true industry as 11,720 sqm of landscaped retail and Skytrax as a five-star airport airport strategy. From a world-class art col- leadership and delivered dining concepts among other leisure in 2017, making it one among lection to contemporary shopping and significant improvements attractions and facilities under one only five other airports in the dining options to endless entertainment and in the travel experience at expansive terminal. The expansion plan world and the only one in the relaxation facilities, every corner of the multiple touchpoints. design will allow passenger flow to seam- Middle East to achieve this expansive terminal offers pleasant surprises lessly tie-up with the existing terminal prestigious status. Currently and an eclectic experience to passengers. and at the same time, improve the overall holding the “Fourth-Best HIA fosters a culture of hospitality passenger experience, including mini- Airport in the World” and the across all operations, bringing a new mizing travel distances for connections, “Best Airport in the Middle dimension to travel through world-class provide clarity and intuitive wayfinding East” titles, HIA continuously shopping, dining and leisure experiences more than 90 boutiques and enjoy a opportunity to relax at the conveniently and to provide a unique passenger expe- works to improve all aspects across 40,000 square meters. Travellers variety of culinary experiences in more located Oryx Airport Hotel, travellers can rience through the lush rainforest & of the passenger experience. can shop many sought-after brands at than 30 cafes and restaurants. Having the recharge at the Vitality Wellbeing and garden. HIA recognised as second-best international airport in the world by the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2019 amad International autonomy for the check-in of its transfer passengers to Airport (HIA) has process through the airport’s queue for under five minutes, achieved second Smart Airport Program which which is an industry-leading Hplace in the pres- has introduced self-check-in achievement tigious 2019 Travel + Leisure and bag drop kiosks which HIA’s unique shopping World’s Best Awards. First are biometric enabled. This and dining offering spread receiving this award in 2017, also makes the check-in across 40,000 square meters HIA continues to position process faster, which vastly of combined retail, food and itself as a leading global avi- improves customer expe- beverage options are also ation hub, with redefined rience and allows more pas- continuously expanding. The airport experiences for trav- sengers to be managed most recent addition at the ellers from around the world. without physical expansion airport is the opening of the The Travel + Leisure of the check-in facilities.