Details of unique new Doha Zoo revealed in second day of Tourism in Tomorrow's World conference
QMA's Cultural Unit to offer visitors chance to 'live like a Qatari' in days gone by
Doha, Qatar; Monday 24th February 2014
Qatar will have a new, world-class zoo by 2020 featuring drive-through safaris, a unique elephant walk-way over Al Waab Street and an exclusive seven-star tree-top hotel, a senior Ashghal executive revealed during the second day of the Tourism in Tomorrow's World conference (Monday).
The zoo, on a 71 hectare site in Al Waab, will link with Aspire Park and Villagio mall via a cable car, dedicated tram system and a custom-built walk-way to create a "zoo within a park", following the vision of His Highness the Emir, delegates at the tourism conference at the Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel heard.
Speaking on the theme of New Doha Zoo - a case study in sustainable approach to tourist development in Qatar, Gregory Clarkson, Senior Planner at public works authority Ashghal, outlined the concept and vision of the new mega attraction, which will help to elevate Qatar to being a global tourist destination.
Mr Clarkson, whose prior experience includes Hong Kong Disneyworld, said the zoo would be split into zones and would feature star animal attractions including gorillas, giraffes, lions, tigers, rhinos and an elephants' walkway on a bridge linking the zoo on the south side of Al Waab Street with Aspire Park to the north. Mr Clarkson said: "It will be a world-class zoo and truly unique."
Mr Clarkson said the zoo will also include drive-through African and Asian Safari zones, walk-through African and Asian safari areas, a mountain experience and a tropical rainforest environment. He added that planners are designing a system where visitors can take their own cars through defined areas of the zoo. Mr Clarkson said: "You will be able to take your personal vehicle on safari, as a special added-extra for the project."
The zoo will have an innovative controlled biosphere roof system - the first of its kind in the world - where it will rain once an hour, and a river ride throughout the zoo network.
Visitors will be able to get to the zoo by cable car directly from Villagio, which Mr Clarkson described as being "a ride in itself" or by dedicated tram system, which will be zoo-themed and link Villagio mall and the Aspire Zone to the zoo. There will also be an underground car park.
In addition, there are plans for a tree house hotel - an exclusive seven-star resort nestled in mature trees, with boardwalks throughout the tree canopy; a five-star rainforest hotel and a four-star Montane family resort.
The zoo village, which will be open to the public, will feature architecture in sympathy with Qatari heritage and culture and will include themed cafes and restaurants to create a new, popular gathering place similar to Souq Waqif and Katara. Mr Clarkson said Ashghal is planning to have the zoo to be up and running by 2020, and is expecting 1.3million visitors to the village with around 950,000 visitors to the zoo.
Mr Clarkson added: "We want to create a world-leading model for integrated nature conservation and visitor experience. It will be a unique and memorable attraction."
Also at the conference, Qatar Museums Authority revealed its plans to develop cultural heritage, offering the opportunity to "live like a Qatari" in days gone by. Maja Knezevic, Head of Qatar Museums' Authority (QMA) Cultural Tourism Unit (CTU), spoke of developing the country's heritage sites to keep alive bygone Qatari culture. Cultural tourism is a central part of Qatar's National Tourism Strategy, inviting tourists to step back in history at historical and heritage sites as well as offering a compelling line-up of museum, art galleries and attractions to visit.
Focused on protecting and promoting Qatar's rich cultural heritage by developing its archaeological sites, CTU aims to turn sites into an authentic experience to raise awareness of the rich potential found throughout Qatar.
The launch of Al Zubarah Archaeological Site as a UNESCO World Heritage in June 2013 is a prime example which, with its authentic Qatari atmosphere and tents offering traditional food and drink, has attracted over 10,000 visitors in January 2014.
Other successful restorations include Barzan Towers, 19th century desert forts like Al-Thaqab and Arakiyyat to Bronze Age sites such as purple-dye production site Jazirat Bin Ghanam and the rock craving of Jassassiya, castles and the fabled Al Wajba fort which played the decisive role in the defeat of the Ottomans in 1893.
More projects in the pipeline are the old Fish Souq in Al-Khor, built of local stone and traditional materials, and four ancient Qatari villages including the old pearl-diving village Al-Mafyar, where visitors will be able to live like Qataris did in years gone by, restored with modern amenities and facilities.
Ms Knezevic said: "This is just a small step for the mankind but could be a big one for Qatar. We count on your support and cooperation to reach and achieve this common goal and to see Qatar positioned on a world cultural map as a cultural destination."
Christopher Knable, Chief Operating Officer of conference sponsor Katara Hospitality, addressed delegates about hotel development in Qatar. He said: "Doha will soon be the best hotel town in the world. We are going to have the greatest hotels right here in Qatar." He spoke about the need to plan for the next generation, saying: "as a hotel developer, we have to be a futurist - we have to figure out what is coming. What you are doing must be meaningful 10 and 20 years from now."
He also highlighted the need to anticipate guests' needs, keep track of guests' comments and feedback, the importance of knowing the provenance of produce and keeping ahead of trends, such as pop-up restaurants.
The two-day conference, under the patronage of HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, was organized by Stenden University Qatar in collaboration with Qatar Tourism Authority and attracted 250 expert delegates from industry and academia, from Qatar, the region and internationally.
-Ends-
Media enquiries to:
Allison Tuffrey Jones - allison.jones@aspect.qa; +974 3358 9891
Kamal Nasrallah - kamal.nasrallah@aspect.qa; +974 6656 2779
Lesley Walker - Lesley.walker@aspect.qa; +974 7779 3546
Bashar AbuLail - bashar.abulail@aspect.qa; +974 55989795
About Stenden University Qatar:
Stenden University Qatar (SUQ) is the region's only vocational hospitality and international business management college and the leading institution for hospitality and tourism training in the Gulf.
Stenden University Qatar has been in operation under the patronage of Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani since 2000. It educates and prepares first rate graduates to lead international hospitality, tourism and business through its four-year Bachelor programme in Business Administration, with majors in International Tourism Management and International Hospitality Management. These are taught by an international faculty from more than 20 countries to students representing more than 40 different nationalities.
The university's highly-acclaimed Problem Based Learning (PBL) teaching methods foster independent active learning to ensure students are fully equipped to work in the industry, having experienced both theory and practice. This approach ensures SUQ students have the confidence and ability to lead group discussions and the skills and know-how to work in the best hospitality and tourism organisations in the world. Many of SUQ's graduates also end up working in the banking, finance, and insurance industries. Their ability to understand true customer focus makes them desirable employees.
International learning is key to the Stenden philosophy. Students spend time in Stenden campuses abroad as well as in professional learning companies, gaining valuable work experience in the real world. SUQ aims not merely to teach its students but to cultivate an open mind that is curious about the world around them. The calibre of graduates is reflected in the fact that all SUQ graduates are 98% employed in less than four months after they graduate.
www.stenden.com/en/locations/qatar
About Qatar Tourism Authority:
Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) manages Qatar's burgeoning tourism industry and develop it through establishing high profile international and local exhibitions as successful annual calendar events in Qatar.
QTA's mission is to promote Qatar as a world-class tourism destination for business, leisure, culture, education and sport. Its role is to showcase the country's unique cultural heritage and highlight its tourist attractions.
Acknowledged as the fastest growing economy in the world, Qatar has taken its place on the world stage by hosting global sporting events such as the upcoming 2022 World Cup. As a world class business hub Qatar is where visitors can also enjoy some of the finest hospitality in the world with uber luxury leisure facilities and abundant tourist activities.
© Press Release 2014
