Children release balloons at the fourth Qatar International Food Festival which opened at the Museum of Islamic Art Park yesterday. Qassim Rahmatullah
BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
DOHA: The fourth edition of the Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) is a significant start for the partnership between Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Qatar Airways, aimed at bolstering the country’s tourism industry, said QTA Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi.
“Tourism can only be successful in partnership with national carrier Qatar Airways as we both have the same vision which is to put Qatar on the tourism map,” Al Mohannadi told The Peninsula at a press conference after the opening of the four-day festival.
This is the first time QTA and Qatar Airways have jointly organised the festival which has improved to a great extent offering five-star culinary experience at low price, more signature activities for visitors in a stunning venue.
“As the fastest growing airline in the world, Qatar Airways reaches out to 125 destinations worldwide and we want them to know about Qatar as a tourist destination,” he added.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said the festival was their first initiative with QTA and that he hoped this partnership further strengthened in the future.
Qatar Airways has already launched an initiative to promote Qatar as a tourist destination through many promotions under their Qatar Stopover programme, said Salam Shawa, Senior Vice President Marketing & Corporate Communications at Qatar Airways.
“We want to encourage our passengers to stop in Doha and experience what the country can offer,” she said.
The opening was attended by
H E Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, along with Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Al Mohannadi and Al Baker among others.
Children from local schools in Doha released balloons in the air to mark the official opening of the event which also featured musical performances from Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra members.
The ceremony also featured the awarding of the winner of QIFF Cooking Competition Rawan Mohammad R A Abo who received an internship at Astor Grill at the St Regis Hotel as a prize.
Among the new features of the festival are the Dining in the Sky by W Hotel, the Qatar Airways Cooking Theatre, the floating barbecue donut of The Diplomatic Club and VIP dining.
The festival held at the Museum of Islamic Art Park comprises various zones, including International, VIP, Snack, Family, Qatar UK and Healthy food zones.
Entry to the event is free. Vouchers for food and drink at the festival will be sold on site at the event. The festival is open today from 1pm till 11pm, tomorrow from 1pm to 10pm and on Sunday from 2pm to 10pm.
The Peninsula
