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Qatar Holidays, Flights & Travel Guide
Qatar travel guide - Qatar
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Qatar Holidays, Qatar Holiday
Packages Overview
The barren peninsula of Qatar
extends into the Persian Gulf, bordered on the landward end by
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Its area may be very
small, but the independent emirate is exceedingly wealthy, with one
of the highest per capita incomes in the world, thanks to its oil
and gas resources. For most of the 20th century
Qatar was a British protectorate, gaining independence in 1971,
after which it became embroiled in territorial disputes with its
neighbours and suffered civil strife, with the Emir being ousted by
his son in a coup. In 1989 the country started
issuing tourist visas, heralding a new era of opening its doors to
visitors. Tourism, despite the establishment of
glitzy hotels, has still to take off in a big way, hampered as it
is by the risky security situation in the Middle East. Qatar
labours under a high threat of indiscriminate terrorist attacks
against Western interests. Whether visiting for
business or pleasure (or a combination of the two), most travellers
use the capital, Doha, as their base. Doha, formerly a quaint and
busy pearl fishing village, is today one of the most important
cities in the Middle East, a major trading centre. It has a large
British and American expatriate population (the Al Udeid air base
was headquarters for the US invasion of Iraq in 2003), which has
moulded the city into an interesting blend of eastern and western
culture and architecture. Tourists tend to spend
their time on the Doha Corniche, a palm-fringed public promenade
that extends for four miles (7km) along the seafront, lined with
five and six-star resort hotels, restaurants, shops, beaches and
recreational areas. A short boat ride from the Corniche is Palm
Tree Island, a great escape full of fun family amenities and a
first class seafood restaurant. Doha also has its equivalent of
Disney World: the Kingdom of Aladdin Theme Park is in the West Bay
area. A major attraction for visitors is shopping, whether it is in
traditional markets (souqs) or the plethora of massive ultra-modern
malls that fill the city centre. Those wanting
to explore outside the city can undertake excursions to interesting
towns, fishing villages, beautiful beaches, camel races, luxury
resorts and the Almaha Sanctuary at Shahaniya where the
near-extinct Arabian Oryx is being protected. The Oryx is the
origin of the legend of the unicorn, and is Qatar's national
symbol, flying high on the tails of Qatar Airways
jetliners.
Tourist Offices - Qatar Tourism Authority, Doha: +974 441
1555 or www.experienceqatar.com
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Entry Requirements
for Qatar Holidays & Qatar Travel
Visitors on tourist visas must use Qatar
Airways to enter the country. Visitors should have tickets or
documents for return or onward travel and sufficient funds to cover
their stay. All require passports valid for at least six months.
Those arriving with visas for Oman do not require an additional
visa for Qatar.
- For Australians -
Australians with a valid passport may obtain a visa on
arrival, allowing for 21-days- tourist visit (QAR55), or seven-day
business visit (QAR100). Business visas require 48 hours
notice.
- New Zealanders with a valid passport may obtain a visa
on arrival, allowing for 21-day tourist visit (QAR55), or seven-day
business visit (QAR100). Business visas require 48 hours
notice.
- United States citizens with a valid passport may
obtain a visa on arrival, allowing for a 21-day tourist visit
(QAR55), or seven-day business visit (QAR100). Business visas
require 48 hours notice.
- United States citizens with a valid passport may
obtain a visa on arrival, allowing for a 21-day tourist visit
(QAR55), or seven-day business visit (QAR100). Business visas
require 48 hours notice.
- British passport holders whose passports are endorsed,
British Citizen' may obtain a visa on arrival, allowing for a
21-day tourist visit (QAR55), or seven-day business visit (QAR100).
Business visas require 48 hours notice. Holders of other British
passports are permitted 14-day tourist visas or seven-day business
visas on the same conditions.
Qatar Holidays - Currency of Qatar
The official currency is the Qatari Riyal (QAR),
which divides into 100 dirhams. The Riyal exchange rate is pegged
to the US Dollar at QR 3.65. Money can be exchanged at banks, the
airport and exchange dealers. The main bank branches are on Grand
Hamad Street in Doha. Banks open mornings, and are closed on
Fridays and Saturdays. ATMs are available on the main streets of
the cities and towns, at banks and in shopping malls. Most shops,
hotels and restaurants accept international credit cards and
travellers cheques are also largely accepted.
Qatar
Telephone Access Codes and Communications
The international direct dialling code for
Qatar is +974, and the outgoing code is 0, followed by the relevant
country code (e.g. 027 for South Africa). City/area codes are not
necessary. There are numerous Internet cafes in Doha, charging QR10
per hour online. The country is well covered by the Q-Tel GSM
900/1800 mobile phone network.
Qatar
Duty Free Allowances & Restrictions
Travellers to Qatar do not have to pay duty on
tobacco products and perfume for personal use. Alcohol may not be
imported under any circumstances. Prohibited items include wild
birds, without an import authorisation from Ministry of Agriculture
and Municipal Affairs (MMAA).
Qatar
Holidays & Packages- Tipping Information
A service charge of 10% is usually added to hotel
and restaurant bills in Qatar, in which case tipping is not
necessary. However if there is no service charge a 10% tip is
appreciated. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip.
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