Old Doha Port to Host Marine activities, Traditional Dhow Competitions

Engr. Mohammed Abdulla Al Mulla, told that the port will host events all year long

After hosting the third Qatar Balloon Festival on January 19, a senior official of Old Doha Port informed the public that there will be other festivals, events, and activities in the area.

On the eve of a press conference, the executive director of the Old Doha Port, Engr. Mohammed Abdulla Al Mulla, told  that the port will host events all year long, the majority of which will be related to maritime pursuits, including a customary dhow competition that will be announced soon.

The objective was to "reinforce the idea and to remind people about the place's origin, being the waterfront, we need to fully utilise these kind of qualities with relation to Doha Port," he added.

He made the following statement in his capacity as the inaugural host of the Qatar Balloon Festival: "What we are promising the audience, people in Qatar, and visitors, is that this will be hopefully the first of its kind event to host in Doha Port, although we are [also] planning such festivals in the Doha Port [in the future]."

Days before the World Cup, Old Doha Port was opened, and it rapidly rose to the top of the nation's tourism attractions. The 800,000 sqm project consists of a mixed-use building with more than 50 cafes, restaurants, and 100 companies. It provides 150 hotel flats in addition to its main hotel, the Mina Hotel and Residences, which has 30 rooms.

In four years, the project's development was finished. The Mina District, which consists of buildings with pastel colours that are commercial establishments and is distinct from the docks and the Grand Terminal, is an important feature of the Old Doha Port.

During the quadrennial event, 8,000 to 10,000 visits per day were reported by Engr. Al Mulla.

Apart from those staying at the floating hotel, "we welcomed thousands of people per day during the World Cup, some days we receive up to 8,000 people, and on some days 10,000," the statement continued.

The Port received between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors during the first week of January of this year, according to its estimates.

"As you can see, we're talking about more than 3,000 to 4,000 people, and it's only the first week of January. We anticipate more since the majority of people are currently on holiday abroad; once they return, the area will be crowded with people, he said.