Organised by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), the annual celebration is set to reactivate a bigger Entertainment City, which will occupy a 29,000 sqm area at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).
“We are pleased to have the popular Entertainment City returning this year with a range of new and exciting gaming and entertainment options for children and adults alike,” QTA’s chief Marketing and Promotion officer Rashed al-Qurese told reporters at a press conference on Monday.
“Preparations are in full swing to deliver a spectacular, nation-wide event.”
The Entertainment City will host arcades, skill games, thrill rides, inflatable games and play areas, video games, Go-Karting, life-size and giant games, ‘Colour Your Summer’ zone, and ‘tech games,’ to entertain visitors.
A number of live shows and performances are also expected to amuse visitors at a dedicated stage while food outlets will be available at the venue. It will be open from 1pm to 11pm daily except Friday, when the centre will be open until midnight.
Based on some visitor suggestions from last year’s event, QTA has reduced the price of tickets this year. While QR15 will be charged for the entry, tickets for games start from QR5, and QR120 (all rides) for VIPs.
This year’s QSF will be using its “Colour Your Summer” slogan again to showcase another vibrant celebration in Qatar, aimed at boosting the hospitality and retail sectors, drive domestic tourism, and attract regional visitors year-round.
As one of QTA’s major events, QSF also aims to showcase Qatar as a summer and family destination.
Al-Qurese said eight malls in the country, as well as The Pearl-Qatar, will offer sales promotions with a chance for shoppers to win major prizes.
Four Jaguar cars and cash prizes worth QR800,000 will be at stake at weekly draws scheduled as follows: August 4 at Al Khor Mall, August 11 at Hyatt Plaza Mall, August 18 at Dar Al Salam Mall, and August 25 at Lagoona Mall at 7.30pm.
Other participating malls include Gulf, Ezdan, City Centre Doha and Landmark, which will also host entertainment shows.
“The festival has been designed to boost the hospitality and retail sectors, with offers from 56 hotel establishments and shopping promotions that give shoppers the chance to win prizes valued at up to QR2mn in total,” al-Qurese stressed.
Hotels will be offering a ‘pay for two nights, stay for three’ package while hotel apartments will present ‘pay for five nights, stay for six’ as part of their promotions during the celebration.
“For us at QTA, this festival is one of our largest annual events which falls under Qatar’s strategy to grow and diversify its tourism offerings in partnership with the private sector, especially during off-peak periods,” al-Qurese added.