TOURS & EXCURSIONS

BASIC FACTS

Geography

Population

As per latest estimates released Qatar’s population is over 1,5 million and almost 80 % resides in the city of Doha, which is the political and economic capital.

Climate

Qatar has a moderate desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. Winter nights can be cool, but temperatures rarely drop below 7°C. Temperatures and humidity rise in coastal cities and towns during summer. Rainfall is scarce falling on isolated days mainly between October and March.

Language

Arabic with English widely spoken and understood

Time

GMT +3hrs

Electricity

240 volts

International Dialing Code from Qatar

00 + country code, followed by the number

Religion

Islam is the official religion of the country and the Shariah (Islamic Law) is the principal source of legislation in Qatar.

Hours of Business

The official working week in Qatar is from Sunday to Thursday (Friday & Saturday off). Government Ministries and Departments are opened from 6am till 2pm, Sundays to Thursdays. Commercial offices tend to have split opening times, roughly 7.30 am to noon and 3.30 pm to 7.30 pm, though timings vary.  Shop timings vary but are generally 8.30 am to 12.30 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm. On Fridays some shops are closed all day, others open around 4 pm in the afternoon.

Currency

The unit of currency is the Qatar Riyal (QAR), which is divided into 100 Dirhams. Notes in circulation are Qatar Riyals 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 Riyals. Coins commonly found are 25 and 50 Dirhams. The Qatar Riyal has a fixed exchange rate against the US Dollar. $1 = QR 3.65

Dress Code

Qatar is an Islamic state and as a courtesy, visitors should dress modestly. Normal swimwear is acceptable on the hotel beaches or by the pool, but T-shirts and discreet covering of the legs is desirable if you move away from these areas. Topless sunbathing is not permitted. You should be particularly conscious of your dress code when you visiting any of the large stores, Souqs or other areas frequented by mixed nationalities. Women should avoid wearing shoestring straps, sleeveless dresses, shorts or see-through fabrics. Men should avoid vest-type T-shirts and brief shorts. It is considered particularly important to dress modestly during the Holy Fasting Month of Ramadan.

Alcohol

In Qatar, as in most Arabian & Islamic countries,alcohol is  forbidden by religion, but is available and served in all Hotels' food outlets and bars. Also alcohol beverages are served through the Hotels' Rooms Service and MiniBars. There are some Clubs and Restaurants outside the Hotels, which are having licenes to serve special beverages as well.

Photography

Do ask permission from people before you take their photographs. Many older people and most women object to being photographed. Equally, avoid sensitive sites or pictures, which include members of the police or armed forces.

Capital

Doha City: Doha's history may delve back into the 19th century, but the face of the city that visitors see today only really started to emerge after the discovery of oil and Qatar's independence in the 20th century. Oil has given the city (home to over 80% of the country's population) and Qatar great wealth and it is rated as the richest Arab nation with a per capita income of over US$40,000 per annum.

Over the last few decades the most ostentatious display of this wealth has come in the form of gleaming new skyscrapers and office blocks. Qatar is trying to position itself as a major global tourist destination with hotels, restaurants and purpose-built tourist attractions to match. Billions of dollars are being poured into a new airport project, the impressive new ‘The Pearl' artificial offshore island development, the rapidly expanding state airline Qatar Airways and other tourist-orientated developments.

There is now plenty for tourists as well as business people to enjoy, with a sprinkling of historical attractions in the city as well as out of town dune bashing tours and dhow cruises. Qatar and Doha are thinking big. The successful staging of the Asian Games in 2006 enhanced Doha's reputation as a can-do city and the hosting of such a large and prestigious event was very much a statement of both ambition and intent.