The Entertainment Stage features live shows for children. PICTURE: Najeer Feroke

By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter

The Qatar Summer Festival’s (QSF) shopping promotions and the “added impetus of raffle draws” had driven up sales in shops and stores at participating malls in the past two weeks, a senior official of Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) told Gulf Times.
“And it has given us great pleasure to see the reactions of shoppers upon hearing that they have been among the lucky winners,” QTA festivals and events director Mashal Shahbik said.
After giving away two BMW 7 Series and two Mini Cooper cars, QTA is set to raffle another set of cars taking place at Gulf Mall tomorrow and Villaggio Mall on August 27.
Besides the four cars, Shahbik noted that QR480,000 worth of cash prizes are also at stake for the two remaining raffle draws. Shoppers who spend QR200 at any store will be eligible to enter the raffle draw.
QTA has announced the names of the car winners recently, including those who took home cheques amounting to QR50,000, QR25,000, and QR10,000. Others won QR5,000 gift vouchers.
About the live shows set on August 27 and 28 at at the Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, she said the ticket sales are going well and expects them to speed up in the coming days.
A comedy show is also set on August 29 at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
“We are thrilled to have secured such a variety of Arab talent and expect the last week’s itinerary to provide a fun and colourful experience for all,” she added.
The Entertainment City at Doha Exhibition Centre (DEC) continues to receive a positive response from the majority of visitors, both residents and tourists, according to Shahbik.
“We’ve heard from visitors that the games this year are much more varied and that the organisation is better especially with regards to spacing and safety,” she said. “We have ensured that there is no over-crowding inside the venue.”
The Entertainment City hosts numerous rides, games and three live shows with performances from unique musical and comedy talent catered for all ages.
QTA has encouraged people to continue sharing their experiences and thoughts on the dedicated QSF social media pages.
Shahbik said they continue to learn from feedbacks, taking notes for the next festival.
With the success of Hamad Medical Corporation’s blood donation campaign at DEC, she hopes the collaboration will continue at QTA’s various events.
“This is a great opportunity to use the success of an event to catalyse community action for an important cause,” she stressed.