Business Leaders – March 2025
Qatar Calendar unveils a special lineup of events celebrating Ramadan and beyond
With the holy month of Ramadan in full swing, the March edition of Qatar Calendar offers a vibrant lineup of family-friendly events that capture the essence of this special time. Visitors can look forward to food festivals, immersive exhibitions, unique art displays, and exciting sporting events, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy this Ramadan. Ramadan Activities. Old Doha Port welcomes the return of the Throwback Food Festival throughout the holy month of Ramadan, offering visitors a daily feast of culinary delights from a diverse range of cuisines. Also taking place throughout Ramadan until March 30, is Hosh Msheireb, an experience inspired by the warmth of family gatherings in the courtyard of a traditional Qatari heritage house. It provides a welcoming space for family and friends to come together and embrace the spirit of the holy month. Additionally, Msheirebis hosting a variety of Ramadan-themed activities from March 1 to April 1, adding to the festive atmosphere. This month residents can also enjoy Ramadan Nights at Hyatt Plaza, an annual Ramadan campaign running from March 1 to April 4, featuring engaging activities such as kids’ workshops and roaming characters. Ramadan at Torba Farmers Market returns to Education City from March 7 to March 29, where visitors can enjoy traditional craftsmanship, Arabic cuisine, and sweet treats in a lively setting. The third edition of The Pearl Ramadan Bazaar will bring a vibrant array of kiosks featuring food and crafts to 2-5 La Croisette, Porto Arabia, The Pearl, from March 1 to April 5. For those looking to shop, the Tajheezat Sha’ban & Ramadan Trade Fair at Katara Cultural Village offers a wide selection of discounted products from February 25 to March 12. Additionally, the Ramadan and Eid Shopping Exhibition at DECC runs from March 16 to March 29, providing even more great deals for shoppers. Those interested in Islamic art can explore traditional craftsmanship at the Ramadan Herfah Workshops, held at Al Khater House from March 2 to March 22. For family-friendly fun visitors and residents can head over to Le Marché at Place Vendôme Mall for activities including Paintless Paintball, Bazooka Ball, and the Space Tribe Ball Pit, running now until April 30. Sporting Events Education City, in partnership with the Qatar Sports for All Federation, is hosting the Sports for All Ladies Ramadan Series 2025 every Saturday from March 1 to March 22. The event features four races ranging from 5 to 30 minutes. Also taking place at Education City is Ladies Night x QSFA Tournaments, running from March 4 to March 26. This series includes four Ramadan tournaments exclusively for women, featuring football, volleyball, badminton, and running races. For those looking to test their endurance this Ramadan, The North Challenge, organised in partnership with Qatar Ultra Runners, offers a two-hour running race at Heenat Salma Farm on March 6. Lusail Circuit is also promoting health and physical activity with the Dukhan Bank Ramadan Duathlon 2025, set to take place on March 14. Two volleyball tournaments are happening this month: the 3rd “Ekbes” Beach Volleyball Tournament 2025 at Old Doha Port from March 6 to March 14, and the Volleyball Tournament at 974 Beach from March 12 to March 14, where participants can form teams and compete for prizes. A squash competition, QSF 3 PSA Satellite “Senior” (1K) – Squash, is also taking place at Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex from March 17 to March 20. Exhibitions and Festivals Qatar’s exhibition scene is thriving with a diverse range of insightful art displays and showcases including the Mal Lawal 4 Exhibition, running until April 10 at Sahat Al Nakheel in Msheireb Downtown Doha, explores the history of gaming with a special focus on the 1990s. Over at Fire Station’s Gallery 4, The Voyager is the Narrator II: New York & Paris Residency Exhibition will feature the remarkable works of 10 talented artists who participated in the international residency program in Paris and New York. The Al-Raqim Exhibition, running until June 21 at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), celebrates Arabic calligraphy as an art form. Meanwhile, In the Realms of Mecca: A Journey through the Rituals of Hajj and Umrah at MIA offers an immersive look into the sacred rituals of Hajj and Umrah until December 30. For those interested in fashion and accessories, the Rouda Al Malki Exhibition at Al Dana Club from March 7 to March 12 will showcase women’s essentials, including abayas and jewellery. Additionally, the first-ever Asian Nuts and Dried Fruits Exhibition is now open at Souq Waqif, bringing together over 40 companies from around the world. Running from March 1 to March 10, the exhibition offers visitors a chance to explore a wide selection of premium nuts and dried fruits from top global producers. For detailed event information and to stay updated, visit www.visitqatar.com, download the Visit Qatar app, and follow @QatarCalendar on social media.
Celestyal refines ‘Iconic Arabia’ sailings for 2025 following a successful first Arabian Gulf season
Soon to conclude its first Arabian Gulf season in March, Celestyal has announced an itinerary refresh for its new-for-2025, Arabian Gulf three-, and four-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ sailings onboard Celestyal Discovery. Based on feedback from the hugely popular first season, guests and their valued travel agent community and regional partners, the itineraries will now feature additional stops in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, with the introduction of Ras Al Khaimah as a new port of call. The new itineraries have been renamed and are as follows: The prices above are part of the current ‘Live Your Vacation Dream’ promotion available on new bookings made until March 16, 2025, and include up to €100 of complimentary specialty drinks and dining per person pre-loaded on each guest’s CelestyalPay tab*. Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: “We strive to deliver unmissable experiences, and in doing so constantly listen to our guests, and travel agent community. Following a hugely successful first season in the Arabian Gulf we learnt more about what our guests and partners would like to see and are excited to announce these changes based on their feedback. Since launching our winter season Arabian Gulf itineraries, we’ve been thrilled by the positive response and the growing interest from both repeat and new-to-cruise customers in exploring this spectacular region. “Our guests have told us they love iconic destinations like Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, as well as discovering more off-the-beaten-track ports that are synonymous with a Celestyal voyage, such as Sir Bani Yas Island and the coastal resort of Khasab. We’re known for our destination immersive and port intensive cruises, so we have refined our 2025 itineraries to offer more time in our guests favourite ports, while adding an additional port in the stunning Ras Al Khaimah.” The 1360-guest Celestyal Discovery will commence her inaugural Arabian Gulf season in the region on December 12, 2025, joining her fleet mate, the 1260-guest Celestyal Journey, who returns to the Arabian Gulf on December 6, 2025. Celestyal Journey will operate the popular ‘Desert Days’ itinerary as planned, starting the season with an Abu Dhabi Grand Prix celebratory cruise. The cruise line will then offer a combination of 7-night, 3- and 4-night Gulf itineraries from December through to March on both ships, for the next three consecutive seasons. For more information, visit celestyal.com or call 0808 258 4170.
Qatar Participates in the 9th GCC Ministerial Meeting for Tourism Officials
The State of Qatar participated in the 9th Meeting of Their Excellencies, the Ministers responsible for tourism in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries which was held February 17th, 2025, in Kuwait. The meeting explored ways to enhance tourism cooperation among member states and support regional integration in this vital sector. The Qatari delegation was led by His Excellency Mr. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism. The ministers commended the key achievements of Gulf tourism in 2024, which strengthened the GCC’s position as an attractive global tourism destination. These accomplishments were driven by major events and high-quality projects that promote tourism diversity and offer exceptional visitor experiences. The meeting also discussed the potential for further tourism collaboration among Gulf states through specialised discussion sessions, which examined prospects for tourism integration, mechanisms for unifying regional promotional efforts, and enhanced cooperation in organising joint events and initiatives. During the meeting, Al Ain was announced as the Gulf Tourism Capital for 2025, in recognition of its rich tourism offerings, including natural, cultural, and heritage assets that reflect the region’s diversity. Additionally, the establishment of GCC Tourism Day on January 20th each year was approved, providing an annual occasion to highlight the achievements of the Gulf tourism sector and showcase leading projects and initiatives. At the conclusion of the meeting, it was agreed that the next ministerial meeting will take place in April 2026 in the United Arab Emirates, continuing efforts to strengthen cooperation and develop joint tourism policies that support the sustainable growth of the Gulf’s tourism sector.
Qatar’s Economy Projected to Grow 2% in 2024, Driven by Tourism and Construction
Doha: Qatar’s economy is forecasted to grow by 2% in 2024, bolstered by stability in the hydrocarbon sector and robust growth in non-oil industries such as tourism and construction, according to Roberta Gatti, the World Bank’s Chief Economist for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Gatti attributed the growth to a strong start to the year in the tourism sector and the pivotal role of construction in driving non-oil economic activity. Qatar’s ongoing diversification initiatives, aligned with its third National Development Plan, are targeting sectors like tourism and IT to broaden the country’s economic base. Hydrocarbon Sector and LNG ExpansionWhile hydrocarbons remain a cornerstone of Qatar’s economy, Gatti highlighted the sector’s anticipated surge starting in 2026, when new liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects begin production. These developments are expected to significantly enhance Qatar’s long-term economic growth. Regional Growth OutlookFor the broader MENA region, the World Bank projects a moderate growth rate of 2.2% in 2024, up from 1.8% in 2023, with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries leading the uptick. GCC economies are expected to see growth rise to 1.9% in 2024, driven by non-oil sector expansion, despite ongoing oil production cuts. Key Regional Highlights:Saudi Arabia: Non-oil private sector growth is projected at 4.4%, contributing to 51% of its economy in 2024.Developing Oil Importers: Growth is expected to slow to 2.1% in 2024, compared to 3.2% in 2023.Developing Oil Exporters: Growth is forecasted to decline from 3.2% in 2023 to 2.7% in 2024, with recovery expected in 2025.Challenges and Long-Term ProspectsGatti warned of challenges, including oil production limits, global economic uncertainties, and potential regional conflicts, which could dampen short-term growth. However, she forecasts an acceleration in MENA’s overall growth to 3.8% in 2025, driven by strengthened GCC economies, expected to grow at 4.2%. Qatar’s Diversified Growth PathQatar’s focus on developing its non-oil sectors, coupled with its strategic investments in LNG expansion, positions the country for sustained economic resilience and long-term growth. credit by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
