In the popular Souq Waqif in Doha, flags of countries, football shirts, scarves and hats are spread in shops whose owners hope to become a destination for hundreds of thousands of World Cup fans coming to the State of Qatar, which is awaiting a recovery in its economic cycle and its tourism sector.
In the middle of an earthen basin in the market, two workers in traditional white dress help two customers ride two camels for a tour of the site, but interested customers can take a larger tour outside the narrow alleys of the market known as a "camel ride".
Head of the Souk Stables unit, Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al-Nama, expects "a huge crowding in the coming days that will happen for the first time in Qatar," adding that visitors "will have an interest in riding camels and horses, which are considered heritage in the country."
"I think that many tourists will have a passion for seeing beauty, because it is not found in European countries and East Asian countries, and they will take pictures with it," he added.
Souq Waqif is preparing to receive the World Cup fans
Program # In_Al-Duha # Qatar_TV pic.twitter.com/pJzeUKOHZ2
— Qatar TV (@QatarTelevision) October 24, 2022
The history of Souq Waqif goes back more than 100 years and is one of the most famous heritage places in Qatar, and it is said that sellers at the time were standing at its entrances to sell their goods, which explains the name.
During the World Cup, which begins on the 20th of next month and continues until December 18, Souq Waqif will be open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
In the alleys designated for pedestrians, visitors walk between low-rise buildings amid a series of arches decorated with windows and wooden beams.
"They will have a lot of fun," said Yasmine Ghanem, a 28-year-old player in the Qatari golf team, who was sitting in a market café. "It will be a great experience with a mixture of Arab culture and football."
A passion that cannot be explained.. "Black Stars" fans captivate hearts in Souq Waqif #Doha, rejoicing that a major sporting event is approaching to support their Ghanaian national team!
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Report: The water of the two eyes is similar # Al Jazeera_Mondial 22 pic.twitter.com/H0f9uisunf
- Al Jazeera Channel (@AJArabic) October 18, 2022
More than a million visitors
On weekends, the market is bustling with visitors of all ages, including children buying balloons from street vendors and families cruising on a small colorful train, while a group of people stand in front of a Turkish ice-cream vendor watching his acrobatic show.
The football wedding is expected to give a boost to the tourism sector in the country, which is expecting an influx of more than one million visitors during the World Cup.
Antiques, handicrafts, fabrics, carpets, furniture, ornaments, jewelry and musical instruments are sold in the market.
Souvenir shops are especially primed, displaying lanterns, figurines of colorful camels and plates carved into the skyscrapers of Doha.
As night falls, the sky of the market lights up the minaret of the Abdullah Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center (Al Fanar), which has a unique spiral design and can be seen from a distance. The scene is different in the morning when workers are busy cleaning the empty streets.
In the market for pigeons and birds, chirping and screeching rise as cages of assorted birds are displayed on a high table fenced with wooden railings.
#Infographic of the East |
Souq Waqif 24 hours during the World Cup
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- Al Sharq Newspaper - Qatar (@alsharq_portal) October 23, 2022
big money
Qatar expects revenues from the global event to reach $17 billion.
But the country seeks to attract 6 million tourists annually, starting in 2030, according to the Qatar Tourism Strategy 2030.
Professor Camilla Swart-Ares, professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar, says the World Cup "creates a solid foundation for the government in its strategy to attract more visitors by 2030."
"Qatar can certainly seize this opportunity to position itself as a family-friendly tourist destination," adds the sports tourism expert.
A few weeks before the start, the flags of the qualifying teams were raised in central Doha and huge pictures of world players were plastered on the skyscrapers.
On the seaside promenade, where the countdown clock has been installed, fans based in the country flock to take pictures.