Destination:
Qatar

Overview

The barren peninsula of Qatar extends into the Persian Gulf, bordered on the landward end by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Its area may be very small, but the independent emirate is exceedingly wealthy, with one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, thanks to its oil and gas resources.

For most of the 20th century Qatar was a British protectorate, gaining independence in 1971, after which it became embroiled in territorial disputes with its neighbours and suffered civil strife, with the Emir being ousted by his son in a coup.

In 1989 the country started issuing tourist visas, heralding a new era of opening its doors to visitors. Tourism, despite the establishment of glitzy hotels, has still to take off in a big way, hampered as it is by the risky security situation in the Middle East. The perception still is that Qatar labours under a high threat of indiscriminate terrorist attacks against western visitors. However, with the awarding of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to Qatar, the country is in the process of overhauling these perceptions, as it prepares to invigorate its tourist infrastructure and begin to welcome foreign visitors on a mass scale.

Whether visiting Qatar for business or pleasure, most travellers use the capital Doha as their base. Formerly a quaint and busy pearl fishing village, Doha is today one of the most important cities, and a major trading centre, in the Middle East. It has a large British and American expatriate population (the Al Udeid air base was headquarters for the US invasion of Iraq in 2003), which has moulded the city into an interesting blend of eastern and western culture and architecture.

Tourists tend to spend their time on the Doha Corniche, a palm-fringed public promenade that extends for four miles (7km) along the seafront, lined with five and six-star resort hotels, restaurants, shops, beaches and recreational areas. A short boat ride from the Corniche is Palm Tree Island, a great escape full of fun family amenities and a first-class seafood restaurant. Doha also has its equivalent of Disney World: the Kingdom of Aladdin Theme Park is in the West Bay area. A major attraction for visitors is shopping, whether it is in traditional markets ( souqs) or the plethora of massive ultra-modern malls that fill the city centre.

Those wanting to explore outside the city can undertake excursions to interesting towns, fishing villages, beautiful beaches, camel races, luxury resorts and the Almaha Sanctuary at Shahaniya, where the near-extinct Arabian Oryx is being protected. The Oryx is the origin of the legend of the unicorn, and is Qatar's national symbol, flying high on the tails of Qatar Airways jetliners.

Whether it is learning to haggle at the souqs, fine-tuning your dune driving skills, relaxing on the beach or marvelling at the wonders of the Arabian world in one of its cities' museums, Qatar has something on offer for every traveller. Qatar is a shopper's dream, while business travellers will find it equally exciting as Doha is fast making its mark as a regional business hub. With a great selection of amusement parks and the Qatar Zoo, kids will marvel at the many wonders Qatar has to offer. Qatar is the perfect destination for travellers who enjoy their creature-comforts but also crave adventure and some excitement during their travels. A trip to Qatar offers travellers relaxing beaches, world-class shopping, exotic markets and endless vistas of gorgeous, shimmering dunes.

Basics

Time
Local time is GMT +3.

Electricity
Electrical current is 240/415 volts AC; 50Hz. Round pin plugs with grounding and rectangular blade plugs are in use.

Language
Arabic is the official language, but English is widely used.

Health
No vaccinations are a health requirement for entry to Qatar, but it is recommended that visitors be up to date with routine vaccinations. Modern medical care and medicine is available in Doha. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for medical services, and treatment is expensive; it is advisable for travellers to hold comprehensive medical insurance. Traveller's diarrhoea is a risk, therefore visitors should drink bottled water and avoid under-cooked food and unwashed fruit and vegetables, particularly outside of the hotels and resorts.

Tipping
A service charge of 10% is usually added to hotel and restaurant bills in Qatar, in which case tipping is not necessary. However if there is no service charge a 10% tip is appreciated. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but it is good to round off the amount due.

Safety
Safety in Qatar is generally not an issue but the country, like most in the Gulf Region, is rated as being under high threat of indiscriminate terrorist attacks against western interests. Visitors should therefore be vigilant in public places. There is a low incidence of crime, but women are advised to take care when travelling alone at night.

Customs
Qatar is an Islamic state, which prohibits drinking alcohol in public other than at licensed hotel restaurants and bars. Religious customs should be respected, particularly during the month of Ramadan when eating, drinking and smoking in public are forbidden by Muslim Law. Intimacy between men and women in public can lead to arrest, and homosexuality is illegal. Visitors should dress modestly and respect local customs. The right hand should be used for everything, including eating and the giving and receiving of things, as the left is considered unclean. The import of pornographic material, non-Islamic religious material, alcohol or pork products is strictly prohibited.

Business
Since nearly 80 percent of the country's population is comprised of foreign nationals, the customs and protocols for doing business in Qatar will depend on the business contacts that you make over there - you might find yourself dealing exclusively with other expats, in a corporate milieu that you are familiar with. However, the following advice pertains to Arabic business culture, to help prepare westerners for that eventuality. It is important to bear in mind that Qatar is an Islamic country - and that you should always remain sensitive and respectful of the large influence that these religious beliefs have on ordinary social life. The business culture of Qatar could be described as 'typically Arabic', in that a great emphasis is placed on personal relationshipsbetween business associates - Qatari businessmen will always prefer to do business with people they are familiar with, and who they feel they can trust. For this reason, you will probably be required to engage the services of a local agent (or sponsor) in Qatar, who'll be able to provide you with important introductions and recommendations. Furthermore, you will also have to remain patient during your first dealings with your new Qatari business partners - especially in the beginning, your new business partners will be far more interested in you, as a person they are looking to befriend, than your corporate expertise or qualifications; and a good amount of time will be devoted to 'getting to know each other', beforeany 'actual business' is discussed. Don't get impatient: long-term, personal business relationships in Qatar are certainly worth the investment of your time and energy. The management style that predominates in Qatar is strictly hierarchical - decisions are made at the top level, and clear, direct instructions are given to staff, who are expected to follow them to the letter. Note that it is unusual to hear the word 'No' outright in Qatar - a more polite, indirect method of refusal is usually preferred. Business etiquette in Qatar reflects the close relationship between personal and professional life mentioned above. Use Arabic titles where appropriate, such as Haji and Sheikh, to indicate your respect for your associates - however, also be prepared to engage in long, personal discussions with them. Make sure that when discussing business, you can deliver everything you promise to - verbal commitments are treated as solemnly (perhaps even more so) than written contracts in Qatar. Business meetings in Qatar will most likely be lengthy, and subject to numerous personal digressions, and perhaps even unexpected visitors. Dress conservatively for business meetings (especially women), and remain patient, even if the meeting's agenda becomes abandoned - do notresort to hard-sell tactics, as they will be interpreted as aggression on your part. Do not publicly criticise or undermine any associates - if you feel the need to say something, do it in private. It is common to exchange business cards when meeting new associates for the first time. Make sure your details are printed in Arabic on the reverse side of your card, and always spend a little time regarding someone else's card before putting it away. Business dress is smart, formal and conservative - especially for women, who must take care not to wear anything too revealing. The official language of Qatar is Arabic, though English is widely spoken and widely understood in the business world. Business hours are generally, 7.30am (or 8am) to 12pm, and then 3.30pm (or 4pm) to 7pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Friday is a day of rest.

Communications
The international access code for Qatar is +974, and the outgoing code is 0, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 027 for South Africa). City/area codes are not necessary. There are numerous Internet cafes in Doha. The country is well covered by the Q-Tel GSM 900/1800 mobile phone network. As of July 28th 2010, telephone numbers in Qatar gain an extra digit by repeating the first number (ie. 522-2222 becomes 5522-2222).

Duty Free
Travellers to Qatar do not have to pay duty on tobacco products and perfume for personal use. Alcohol may not be imported under any circumstances. Prohibited items include wild birds, without an import authorisation from Ministry of Agriculture and Municipal Affairs (MMAA). Travellers are also prohibited from importing pork-related products and pornographic or sexually explicit material.

Currency

The official currency is the Qatari Riyal (QAR), which divides into 100 dirhams. The Riyal exchange rate is pegged to the US Dollar at QR 3.65. Money and travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks, the airport and exchange dealers. To avoid additional charges it is best to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. The main bank branches are on Grand Hamad Street in Doha. Banks are open Saturday to Thursday 8am to 1pm and some are open into the evening. ATMs are available on the main streets of the cities and towns, at banks and in shopping malls and most shops, hotels and restaurants accept international credit cards.

QAR 1 =

US$ 0.27

£ 0.18

C$ 0.28

A$ 0.27

R 2.32

EUR 0.22

NZ$ 0.35

Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Health

Health Overview
No vaccinations are a health requirement for entry to Qatar, but it is recommended that visitors be up to date with routine vaccinations. Modern medical care and medicine is available in Doha. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for medical services, and treatment is expensive; it is advisable for travellers to hold comprehensive medical insurance. Traveller's diarrhoea is a risk, therefore visitors should drink bottled water and avoid under-cooked food and unwashed fruit and vegetables, particularly outside of the hotels and resorts.

Visa

Americans


UK nationals


Canadians


Australians


South Africans


Irish nationals


New Zealanders

Passport/Visa Note
Visitors should have tickets and documents for return or onward travel and sufficient funds to cover their stay. If on a tourist visa, visitors should have proof of confirmed hotel reservation and a minimum of USD 1,400 or a major credit card. Those without diplomatic representation in Qatar require passports valid for at least six months upon arrival. If holding a visa for Oman an additional visa for Qatar is not required. As of 1 May 2010 Qatar has decided to remove visas on arrival for the citizens of 33 countries so be sure to confirm the current status of your country. All visitors staying in Qatar for more than one month need to obtain a Residence Permit after arrival. The government of Qatar does not accept temporary passports. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

Contacts

Qatar Tourism
Qatar Tourism Authority, Doha: +974 4441 1555 or www.qatartourism.com

Foreign Embassies in Qatar

Qatar Embassies

Regions and Cities

Doha

Doha is the beautiful capital of Qatar, located on the Persian Gulf and home to the majority of the country's population. In 2006 the city hosted the world's largest Asian Games yet, and has since continued to thrive. Doha has a very laid-back atmosphere and is a good base from which to explore the rest of the country. This destination is also renown for being safe and clean. As a cultural and commercial centre, the city offers plenty of things to see and do including shopping and dining, or simply relaxing on its gorgeous coast or bay area. The Government House is one of the most prominent landmarks and the National Museum, housed in a splendid Arabian palace, was opened in 1975. Doha's modern seaport, airport and telephone links make it very accessible to visitors, supported by a strong economical base derived from petroleum exports and shrimp processing, as well as finance and administration businesses. Hotels are being refurbished across the city, making this a fantastic destination for travellers.

With the awarding of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to Qatar, Doha is sure to become even more of a tourist haven, as infrastructure is improved and new tourist attractions are established.