The appearance of Superstars Kareena Kapoor and Sonu Nigam at Shop Qatar 2018 , Bollywood-themed week of the annual shopping festival, organised by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), comes as part of the country’s efforts to attract more visitors from the Indian Subcontinent.
Indian visitors are among those now eligible for a visa waiver that is valid for 30 days from the date of issue, entitling them to spend up to 30 days in Qatar with the possibility of applying for an extension of the waiver for an additional 30 days (multiple-entry waiver). To further promote Qatar as a welcoming, authentic and easily accessible destination for Indian nationals, QTA plans to open a representative office in India.
Rashed AlQurese, Chief Marketing and Promotion Officer at QTA, commented, “Shop Qatar 2018’s differently themed weeks echo the country’s message of welcoming the world and leverage the country’s new status as the most open country in the region. We were very pleased to see the Bollywood Week so warmly received by both Qatar’s residents and visitors and look forward to further promoting the country as a welcoming destination in India.”
In a colourful celebration of the Indian subcontinent’s vibrant culture and arts, the second week of the festival (January 14 – 21), saw a unique line-up of activities at malls and special venues across Qatar. The week featured a Bollywood Fashion Show with a dazzling display of Saris and Lehenga-inspired dresses. The showcase of over 100 looks featured outfits by six celebrity designers including Vikram Phlankis and Archana Kochhar. The evening’s show was crowned woth a guest appearance by Kareena Kapoor. Later in the week, the multi-talented singing sensation Sonu Nigam serenaded his fans in a four-hour performance at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. In addition, malls participating in Shop Qatar also hosted a variety of Bollywood-themed pop-up shops inviting mall-goers to create and personalise their own embroidered khussa slippers, bangles and much more.
The second edition of the country’s biggest shopping festival, Shop Qatar runs from 7 January to 7 February 2018 under the slogan ‘A Brand New Tradition’.
