Latest news with #JassimAlMahmoud
Observer
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Observer
Qatar's Toy Festival welcomes families for a summer of fun
DOHA: Families in Qatar are in for a magical summer as the third edition of the Qatar Toy Festival (QTF), the nation's biggest toy-themed extravaganza, swings open its doors at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC). Running until August 4, this year's festival promises an even bigger, bolder, and more immersive experience, transforming the capital into a wonderland for children and parents alike. Spanning over 17,000 square meters and divided into five creative zones, the festival is designed to dazzle. From giant inflatables in Hyper Land to whimsical island adventures in Fancy Island and high-energy challenges in Champions Land, each space offers a unique world to explore. The festival also introduces a first-of-its-kind QTF Summer Camp for kids aged 4 to 12, blending learning with play through art, science, and sports activities. Jassim Al Mahmoud, Director of Communications at Visit Qatar 'This year, we focused on creating new immersive and educational experiences to expand family entertainment in Qatar,' said Jassim Al Mahmoud, Director of Communications at Visit Qatar. 'We wanted to ensure that every family, no matter their interests or age, finds something memorable and engaging at the festival.' Highlighting the festival's growing impact, Jassim Al Mahmoud added: 'The Qatar Toy Festival has become a cornerstone of our summer calendar. Each edition builds on the last, introducing innovative attractions and partnerships that set a new benchmark for family entertainment in the region.' Toy Festival in Qatar (6) The lineup is as star-studded as it is action-packed. Popular content creator AboFlah makes his festival debut alongside the ALJ Sisters, while celebrated Egyptian educator Al Daheeh joins in the final week for a motivational talk and his animated premiere. Other crowd-pullers include live performances, dance shows, science experiments, and even an Ultimate Horror House inspired by Five Nights at Freddy's. Adding to the excitement, the festival features a real-life PUBG Mobile battleground, where visitors can compete to win a Jetour car, and a Sherlock Holmes escape room for puzzle lovers. Meanwhile, families can shop at themed retail outlets such as Build-A-Bear and Mumuso, enjoy culinary delights at a vibrant F&B court, and look forward to special back-to-school promotions. Last year's edition drew over 100,000 visitors - a 33 per cent increase from its debut - and this year's attendance is expected to surpass that milestone. 'We are seeing a strong appetite for large-scale family experiences that combine entertainment with learning,' Jassim Al Mahmoud emphasized. 'By offering diverse activities like science workshops, art sessions, and physical challenges, we not only entertain but also inspire children's curiosity and creativity.' 'Our mission is to reinforce Qatar's position as a leading family-friendly tourism destination, especially during the summer months,' he continued. 'Through world-class programming, global entertainment brands, and immersive environments, we are attracting both local and international visitors, contributing significantly to tourism growth.' With Ooredoo as the official telecom partner, QTF has solidified its place as a flagship event on Qatar's summer calendar. Tickets range from QAR 50 for general entry to QAR 1,500 for the exclusive VVIP experience. As summer winds down, a special 'Back to School' week will help families gear up for the academic year with themed entertainment and giveaways. Beyond the festival, visitors can explore other seasonal attractions such as Scoop by the Sea at West Bay North Beach, the new Meryal Waterpark, Doha Quest, and luxury beach resorts, all part of Visit Qatar's mission to create a dynamic year-round tourism calendar. 'The festival is more than just fun - it's about creating lasting memories for families and positioning Qatar as the region's ultimate summer destination,' Jassim Al Mahmoud concluded. 'We look forward to welcoming everyone and sharing this unique celebration of imagination, learning, and joy.'
The National
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The National
Qatar aims high as Samla endurance race goes international
Qatar will for the first time open up its popular endurance event, the Samla International Race, to competitors from around the world next year. The gruelling 100km event involves four disciplines – a 3km open water swim, 49km run, 44km mountain bike and 4km kayaking – to be completed in under 12 hours The Samla race was first launched for local participants in 2017 and quickly became a highlight of Qatar's sporting calendar. Now, organisers of the inaugural international edition of the race are offering an attractive prize fund of $300,000, with the winners of the men's and women's races taking home $50,000 each. The introduction of the international edition marks a significant milestone, aligning with Visit Qatar's vision to position the country as a premier global sports destination for sports tourism and world-class competition. The Gulf state already has a strong reputation as hosts of international events. The Qatar Open tennis tournament, first staged in 1993, is one of the longest-running annual events in the region. Other permanent fixtures include golf's Qatar Masters, world athletics' Diamond League meet, and a Formula One Grand Prix, to name a few. In 2022 they became the first nation in the Middle East to host the Fifa World Cup. 'Actually, we are proud to announce that a Qatari product or Qatari idea that started in 2017 as a local event and held over the past five years is now going global,' Jassim Al Mahmoud, director of PR and communication at Visit Qatar, told The National. 'Back in the day, the Samla race was held over three days, covering a distance of over 200 kilometres and completed under 60 hours. It also included a round of target shooting in between the swim, run and mountain bike legs, testing the mental edge of the participants. 'We thought the 100km race, to be completed under 12 hours, is more appropriate and attractive for the international athletes. Such events have become a trend with the sustainability efforts of using natural resources.' The event was put on hold during the Covid-19 pandemic and again in 2022 as Qatar successfully hosted the World Cup. Al Mahmoud, a former footballer and volleyball player who represented Qatar at national level missed out on competing then, but says the experience of training and preparing for the race helped him value the product even more. 'The Samla race was not held during Covid and the plan of resuming it also never took off because it clashed with the 2022 World Cup," he says. 'I was a bit disappointed that the race wasn't held that year as planned but the positives that I took forward was the experience of my training for 10 months, which I realised as being part of this international event. 'During this time, I trained for four hours every day for 10 months. I just got out of home and started running, and then it became a routine. I felt super-fit and could complete the 100km race at that time. 'I'm glad this event has been revived and gone global. Personally, the experience of preparing for this race has given me a better idea now as part of the team organising this event.' Al Mahmoud believes registrations will exceed expectations and the race is made more memorable by the Qatari landscape. 'It's a unique race for those already competing in various extreme and endurance sports,' he added. Back in the day, the Samla race was held over three days, covering a distance of over 200 kilometres and completed under 60 hours Jassim Al Mahmoud, director of PR and communication at Visit Qatar 'It will be one of the best events that we will host. We can sense it already, because endurance athletes or endurance sports has become the new trend nowadays. The numbers for these endurance races are on the rise.' The Samla International 100 is slated for January 24, 2026, and traverses through the south of Qatar to Khor Al Adeid and back.
Tourism Breaking News
28-05-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Qatar eyes greater role @ ITB China 2026 after strong showing in 2025: Visit Qatar
Post Views: 70 Jassim AlMahmoud – PR & Communications Director – Visit Qatar in a special interview with TravTalk ME shared that their presence at ITB China 2025 was most successful and their intention to expand their presence next year with the positive feedback received as they participated for the first time. 'ITB China is a very important event for us for two key reasons: first, the exceptional quality and professionalism associated with the ITB brand; and second, the high caliber of exhibitors and potential partners participating in the show. We are here to build meaningful partnerships, but most importantly, to deepen our engagement with the Chinese market—which we consider a Tier 1 source market for Qatar. This is my first visit to China, and already it is clear that the country offers immense opportunities. China's vast population and its growing appetite for international tourism make it a key focus in our global tourism strategy. But to truly attract Chinese travellers, we must understand their preferences and expectations. We've already identified that gastronomy, shopping, cultural experiences, and family-friendly attractions are particularly appealing to Chinese tourists. Fortunately, Qatar can offer all of these. From luxury shopping and world-class cuisine to rich heritage and attractions suited for travelers of all ages, we are confident in our ability to cater to Chinese guests. We are seeing solid growth from this market. For example, in 2023 we welcomed 56,000 Chinese visitors, and in 2024 we've recorded a 28% increase—a clear sign of rising interest. To support this momentum, we are actively expanding our partnerships. We brought 10 partners from Doha with us to ITB China this year. And based on what we've experienced here, we're seriously considering expanding our presence next year. The market potential is undeniable, and the hospitality we've received reinforces the importance of being here. To better serve Chinese travellers, we've already taken practical steps: We have representative offices in Shanghai and Beijing. We currently have 35 Chinese-speaking tour guides, soon increasing to 45, including both full- and part-time staff. Many of our hotels now offer Chinese-speaking staff and Chinese cuisine. Visitors from China enjoy visa-free access to Qatar, which significantly eases travel. We are exploring training initiatives similar to those launched by other countries, such as tailored cultural and language programs for frontline tourism staff.' Speaking on connectivity he shared, 'On the connectivity front, Qatar Airways operates 61 flights per week to 8 major Chinese cities, in addition to services offered by three Chinese carriers—Xiamen Airlines, China Eastern, and Air China. We're in ongoing discussions to further increase this number, pending regulatory developments. The relationship between China and Qatar is strong at both the governmental and cultural levels. This mutual understanding is reflected in our visa policies and bilateral cooperation. Looking ahead, while language can still be a barrier, we are leveraging AI tools and professional translation services, and considering further steps to make our destinations more accessible—such as enhancing signage and information in Chinese. To conclude, China is a top-priority market for Qatar Tourism. ITB China has been a valuable platform, and based on our first-hand experience here, I am confident that our post-event report will strongly recommend an even larger presence next year. We are committed to building long-term relationships and delivering an outstanding experience for every Chinese traveller visiting Qatar.'
