Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) has expressed confidence that the number of visitors in this year’s Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) will exceed last year’s 170,000.
Concluding today at  the Museum of Islamic Art Park, Katara - the Cultural Village and The Pearl-Qatar, the annual culinary celebration has become increasingly popular.
QTA’s festivals and tourism events director Mashal Shahbik said they have been exerting efforts to expand the festival to give visitors a wide range of offerings – from food to different entertainment activities and new activations.
“One of the main objectives is to showcase the hospitality in Doha and this is why maybe we are one of the few festivals around the world where hotels do participate, and we keep a restriction for the price within the range from QR5 to QR35 so everyone can afford it and enjoy the food,” she said.
Katara – the Cultural Village and The Pearl-Qatar, two QIFF satellite venues this year, have also attracted many visitors. In the past six days, participants at the festival have been providing visitors with a wide range of dishes at the three venues.
Water taxis from MIA Park entice many to take a ferry ride and try some of the offerings in the two places. Other modes of transportation such as shuttle bus, limousine and Uber services helps people to visit more than one venue.
While signature offerings have remained a big hit such as the Dinner in the Sky, visitors also enjoy a sumptuous buffet on board a traditional wooden dhow for a “Dinner on a Dhow” between QR60 and QR130.
In addition, the floating “Barbeque Donut” continues to attract groups of people who want to have fun while eating grilled meats.
Many visitors also lauded this year’s festival saying they had more choices and options compared to last year.
Besides food, live cooking demonstrations, entertainment activities and numerous attractions at various zones have been a huge draw for families. Baraem television featured live performances led by cartoon characters at the children zone.