The annual Discover America Week Qatar celebrations got under way yesterday with a host of special events and attractions.
The series of events celebrate the US-Qatar partnership.
Running until February 22, the event — a joint effort of the US embassy and American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar — will highlight American business and innovation, travel, food, music, fashion, art, education and culture. As part of the celebrations, a special tourism kiosk was inaugurated at The Gate Mall in order to promote tourism to the US.
The kiosk,which offers a range of tailored packages and special promotions from Qatar Airways, will operate daily, until February 21.
The launch was attended by a number of dignitaries, including US ambassador Dana Shell Smith and representatives of Qatar Airways, The Gate Mall and Salam Stores, which are among the organisations participating in the week-long celebrations.
In a statement, Qatar Airways said it was partnering with the US embassy to celebrate Discover America Week 2016 and highlighting its American destinations at the dedicated booth at The Gate Mall. The airline is offering travellers up to 25% off on all-inclusive return fares to the US for the entire week.
Qatar Airways senior vice-president (commercial-Qatar) Ehab Amin said: “Qatar Airways currently operates direct flights to eight destinations in the US - New York, Washington, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles. Atlanta and Boston are upcoming destinations in addition to a second daily flight to New York.”
“Air travel to the US has increased nearly tenfold over the past decade with close to 30,000 Qataris visiting every year,” said ambassador Smith.
Meanwhile, The Gate Mall and Salam Stores noted in a statement that the “Discover America”  kiosk was a special initiative by them to promote tourism to the US.
Abdul Salam Abu Issa, deputy COO and board member  of Salam International Investment, said: “The Gate Mall and Salam Stores management are delighted to lend our support to Discover America Week, as we come together to celebrate a great nation such as the US.” Among the other events held yesterday was the American Beauty Day at Al Jazi Gardens and the launch of travel packages to the US at Ali Bin Ali Travel.
Ambassador Dana Shell Smith, Ali Bin Ali Travel general manager Saeed al-Hajri and Ali Bin Ali Group board of partners adviser Peter McElwaine were present at a cake-cutting ceremony at the main office at Al Sadd of the travel partner. Ali Bin Ali Travel is offering many special holiday packages to the US, with discounted rates.