Diverse cuisine, family-friendly entertainment and the chance to meet and learn from some of the region’s most talented chefs are all part of this year’s edition Qatar Tourism (QT) celebrated the opening of the twelfth edition of the annual Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) today, at the newly-minted Al Sa’ad Plaza in Lusail Boulevard, and in the presence of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and with opening remarks presented by Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker. On until March 21, QIFF is Qatar’s longest-running food and beverage festival and is a headline event in the country’s annual social calendar. In partnership with Qatar Airways, more than 80 exciting and popular culinary vendors will attend the eleven-day festival, which is expected to attract more than 7,000 visitors a day. QIFF 2023 will run daily from16 – 23 pm on weekdays, and 16 pm – 1am on weekends. Entrance is free, with pre-registration available on the Visit Qatar website. Partners to this year’s edition are Talabat, Ooredoo, Askar, Qatar Museums: The Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture, and Expo 2023 Doha Qatar. Commenting on the festival, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “Qatar International Food Festival is a celebration of the country’s unique and diverse melting pot of cultures and for more than a decade has shone an essential spotlight on its thriving culinary scene. With so many recent world-class restaurant openings, Qatar’s gastronomic landscape is incredibly exciting, and we are delighted to showcase all that’s on offer to residents and visitors this March.” From live cooking masterclasses to Le Petit Chef, QIFF 2023 has in store plenty to eat, see and do. Phil Lawrie, General Manager of IN-Q Enterprises, the commercial arm and wholly owned subsidiary of Qatar Museums (QM) shares, "Our decade of partnership with world renowned Michelin-starred Chef, Alain Ducasse, has brought to Qatar elevated dining experiences through IDAM in the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), Jiwan at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) and Café #999 located at Doha's artist hub - the Fire Station. Our restaurants offer a variety of menu options, from French to modern Qatari cuisine to authentic Italian, to satisfy the varied cravings and diverse culinary preferences of the local populace and visitors. We are grateful to be a part of QIFF 2023 because it is an opportunity to introduce more people to the signature flavours and pleasures, our outlets are known for.” Commenting on the festival, Francisco de Sousa, Managing Director at Talabat said: “We are once again delighted to be participating in one of the key food festivals in the State of Qatar, as well as in the region. With diverse culinary offerings, this festival is a testament to the country's commitment to promoting local and international cuisines and fostering cultural exchange. At Talabat, we believe in the power of food to bring people together, and we are honoured to be part of this exciting event that showcases the best of Qatar's food culture.” Expo 2023 Doha, represented by its Secretary General, Eng. Mohamed Ali Al-Khouri saw a great opportunity at the festival to raise awareness about the Expo, its pillars and what it stands for especially when it comes to putting horticulture and innovation and technology at the service of sustainability. Hayfa also highlighted that sustainability extends to food waste and leftovers and that QIFF is the perfect forum to start this conversation. From his end, Sheikh Ali Bin Jabor Al Thani, CEO at Ooredoo Qatar, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Qatar Tourism for this year’s Qatar International Food Festival. We’re committed to supporting our communities and our country, and helping showcase the many incredible events and activities on offer in Qatar, and we’re sure QIFF will - once again - be a hugely enjoyable experience for both residents and visitors.” Learn from the Region’s Best Chefs QIFF 2023 will offer five daily live cooking theatres, which will feature some of the region’s most dynamic and respected chefs, including 29 of participating chefs. Food-loving festivalgoers can also attend ticketed interactive food masterclasses where they will have the unique opportunity to sharpen their skillset with some of the industry’s finest. Some industry favourites include Rachel Allen, Chef Wan, East Levant and more. Savour Immersive Dining Experiences There will be a host of unusual - and delicious! - dining options available for guests. Attendees can also enjoy their very own high end Harrod’s afternoon tea. The festival’s customary cornucopia of world cuisine food trucks will make a return for 2023. From sumptuous Mexican tacos to gorgeously flavoursome Filipino Kare Kare, guests are sure to find something mouth-watering amongst the melee of carts. In a true tribute to international cuisine, QIFF will see an area dedicated to Indonesian cuisine, in celebration of the Qatar-Indonesia Year of Culture 2023. Finally, an entire section of the festival will exclusively house vegan cuisine, and healthy food options. Experience World Class Entertainment A suite of varied and lively entertainment options for the entire family will be on offer at QIFF 2023. Throughout the festival, there will be roaming acts, a nightly fireworks show and a publicly-accessible VIP section. Guests can get their skates on with a custom-made skate ring, and an entire Kids section will be available for the little ones, with entertainment organised by Aura Entertainment. QIFF 2023 can be easily accessed by metro (QNB station) and car, with several parking options in close proximity to Lusail Boulevard. On a daily basis, all leftover food will be collected and distributed by the festival’s charity partner Hifz Al NAENA. Those in search of more information on QIFF 2023, should visit Qatar International Food Festival 2023 | Visit Qatar. For more detail on other upcoming events, visit www.qatarcalendar.com and follow @qatarcalendar on Facebook and Instagram.

Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co. (AAB), distributors for Toyota vehicles in Qatar launched the All-New Toyota Veloz 2023 at the Rixos Gulf Hotel, Doha. The exclusive launch event was attended by the representatives from automotive fleet companies in Qatar, retail customers, members from the media as well as social media influencers. AAB was represented by Mr. Abdulghani Nasser Al Abdulghani, Vice President, Mr. R.K. Murugan CEO along with Senior Managers and executives. Welcoming the guests, Mr. R.K. Murugan said “This new model introduction is part of TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION and AAB’s commitment to creating mobility for all and developing versatile vehicles that reflect the aspirations of today’s drivers. Toyota Veloz delivers smooth acceleration and a dynamic driving experience thanks to its four-cylinder 1.5-liter engine. The spacious vehicle blends sleek design with comfort and functionality and comes equipped with a host of advanced features that cater to the needs of the brand’s most valued customers.” Further building on its commitment to creating mobility for all and developing versatile vehicles that reflect the aspirations of today’s drivers, Toyota has announced the Middle East launch of the new Veloz. The spacious vehicle blends sleek design with comfort and functionality and comes equipped with a host of advanced features that cater to the needs of the brand’s most discerning customers. The new Toyota Veloz is a supremely practical vehicle that combines efficient fuel economy of 19.3km/l and maneuverability on narrow roads with ample interior space. Envisioned as a sub-compact group carrier, it features three rows of seats that can comfortably accommodate seven passengers thanks to flexible configurations to offer an exceptional ride. The vehicle’s outstanding performance is ready to take on the demands of users seeking thrills and excitement in their daily drives, while its enhanced safety features deliver added protection and peace of mind. Eiji Fujibayashi, Chief Engineer in charge of development, commented: “The new Veloz was developed around the theme ‘Easy to drive anywhere, anytime, and for anyone.’ It provides exceptional maneuverability, allowing for stable and stress-free driving even on narrow roads. With “Proud Active” as the key design concept, we aimed to deliver a spacious and dynamic vehicle suited to a wide range of uses and driving styles. We are happy to bring the benefits of Toyota’s advanced technology to more drivers in the Middle East, and believe our customers will be very satisfied with what we have achieved.” Kei Fujita, Chief Representative, Middle East and Central Asia Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation, said: “We are excited to introduce the new Veloz to the Middle East. With its advanced features and spacious interior, our newest vehicle comes with a premium look that embodies Toyota’s commitment to Quality, Durability, and Reliability, and is designed to create a sense of adventure. The adaptable interior offers true versatility, enabling people from all walks of life to experience the joy of mobility while providing outstanding safety and comfort on every journey. I would like to thank our loyal customers in the region for their tireless support, which serves as powerful motivation as we continue on our drive to create ever-better cars.” The 2023 Toyota Veloz’s new platform and highly-rigid body structure contribute to outstanding handling, stability, and ride comfort, even on rough roads or with multiple passengers. The vehicle features newly- developed MacPherson strut-type front suspension, which provides linear and direct driving dynamics, while the rear is equipped with a new torsion beam suspension system. Drivers can experience three different driving modes with a choice of ECO, Normal, and Power modes to suit a variety of driving conditions and styles. The vehicle also boasts excellent maneuverability, with a 5.0-meter turning radius. The new Toyota Veloz delivers smooth acceleration and a dynamic driving experience thanks to its four- cylinder 1.5-liter capacity engine with 16-valve DOCH and dual VVT-I, which produces 105 horsepower and 138 Nm of torque with fuel consumption of 19.3 km/l. Paired with Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that simulates a seven-speed sequential shift transmission to deliver powerful, smooth acceleration from start-off and at low speeds, as well as quiet, efficient transmission at higher speeds with excellent fuel efficiency. A unique front design has been adopted, with the high nose and large trapezoid grille creating a proud expression. The slim LED headlamps and chrome moldings give an elegant, yet sporty look. On the side, the strong character lines running from the nose to the rear express length and presence, which is complemented by large-diameter wheels and over fenders. At the back, long rear combination lamps emphasize the vehicle’s wide stance and stability. Toyota has prioritized comfort and convenience throughout the 2023 Veloz’s interior. Upon entering the vehicle, passengers are welcomed by ambient lighting that complements the overall feel of the spacious cabin, which comes with a range of advanced and practical features. These include a 7-inch color Multi- Information Display (MID), which is complemented by an 8-inch multimedia screen with Apple CarPlay® and Android AutoTM integration for seamlessly connected journeys. The vehicle also features a wireless charging pad for smartphones and three dedicated USB charging ports for the first and second rows, as well as two 12V sockets for powering other types of devices. The new Toyota Veloz’s three rows of seats can accommodate up to seven people, while the second and third rows can be folded together or individually for different layouts that provides passengers with more comfort and can carry more cargo, including longer items. It comes equipped with ample storage, including a total of 12 cup and drinking bottle holders for occupants. Additional comforts include a 6-speaker sound system, a powerful automatic air conditioning system with rear control panel, rear sonar, and smart entry and start systems. Meanwhile, parents benefit from the added peace of mind with the ISOFIX safety system, which attaches baby seats securely. As with any Toyota model, the vehicle comes complete with a comprehensive array of safety features. These include six SRS airbags (front airbags for the driver and passenger, side airbags for the front seats, and side-curtain airbags for all three rows of seats), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Brake hold function, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Traction Control (TRC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Tire Pressure Warning System (TPWS), and many more. A choice of six exciting exterior hues adds to the 2023 Veloz’s bold new look. These include Platinum White Pearl Mica, Siler Metallic, Grey Metallic, Dark Red Mica Metallic, Black Metallic, and the newly developed color Purplish Silver Mica Metallic. Meanwhile, the spacious interior cabin is furnished with a stylish black and grey color scheme. The new Veloz is equipped with 17-inch machined finished 10-spoke aluminum wheels that further enhance the vehicle’s appeal.

“Unleash the Inner Designer in You”, this year’s edition of the festival, running throughout March, will use artificial intelligence to allow visitors to visualise their dream space Hosted under Qatar Tourism’s Shop Qatar, the Homeware Festival will also offer hundreds of product prizes and mega prizes worth up to QAR 1,000,000. Doha, Qatar – 22 February 2023: As part of Qatar Tourism’s month-long retail celebration, ‘Shop Qatar,’ Doha Festival City, Qatar’s one and only mall of choice for shopping, dining, and entertainment, announced the launch of the 4th edition of its highly-anticipated annual Homeware Festival, which will take place from the 1st to the 18th of March, sponsored by Dr. Scent, Eggo, Philips and Technoblue. The mall will host an exhibition featuring 14 homeware brands including Homecentre, H&M Home, Ambiance, Maya Paris, That’s Living, That’s Living Kids, Stosa Cucine, Khazanah, The One, West Elm, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, and IKEA to provide exclusive offers and showcase the latest interior design trends. In addition, visitors to the festival will also get a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize with Shop Qatar for every minimum spend of QAR 200 at participating shops. Customers need to take their payment receipts to any dedicated raffle desk located at both the North and South areas of the mall, provide their personal details, and redeem their tickets. Shop Qatar’s grand prize raffle draw will be held at the Center Court of the mall on 18th March. As a digital pioneer, constantly adapting new technologies to deliver exceptional experiences to its customers, the Doha Festival City’s Homeware Festival 2023, “Unleash the Inner Designer In You”, will bring visitors an all-out new immersive AI activation which will allow them to visualise their dream space during the event. To take part in this tech-forward activation, visitors need to head to the AI booth at the Centre Court of the mall, create their unique design of a room interior only by using keywords, then post it on Instagram with the hashtags #HomewareFestival2023 #UnleashyourInnerDesigner and #DohaFestivalCity for a chance to be amongst the three lucky winners that the mall will select on the 18th of March based on the number of likes and comments they garner. As part of Shop Qatar, multinational entertainment acts will visit Doha Festival City to engage with visitors and their families in open areas during the weekends, including 30-minute performances scheduled for the afternoon and evening on Thursday’s, Friday’s, and Saturday’s. Commenting on the festival’s launch, Robert Hall, Doha Festival City’s General Manager, said: “We are excited to host the 4th edition of Homeware Festival and showcase the latest collections from our flagship homeware and furnishing retailers joining us from across the globe. This year’s round promises to be special with the new AI-powered activation that will encourage our visitors to become creative and bring out their inner designer. Doha Festival City always strives to offer the community in Qatar the most engaging experiences, inviting them to constantly be part of the creative and explorations process.” Commenting on the return of Shop Qatar this year, Sheikha Hessa Al-Thani, Head of Marketing and Planning at Qatar Tourism said, “Shop Qatar is one of Qatar Tourism’s flagship events in its annual social calendar and this year falls under the ‘Feel Winter in Qatar’ campaign. We’re delighted to bring back this ever-popular shopping festival, in partnership with our valued stakeholders, this time with unique prizes and more surprises in store for families.” Having proven to be a great success during its past editions, the festival will build on its legacy, promising to stand out this round by incorporating state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. Earlier this year, the Mall unveiled its new brand positioning “It’s my place, my choice” tailored for 2023, with the main aim of bolstering its position in the market as the ultimate destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment, while further diversifying its offering, activations, and events for a truly bespoke experience to each of its visitors. For more information on the mall’s operating hours and the Homeware Festival please call on 4035 4444 or check https://www.dohafestivalcity.com/home/

Ministers, ambassadors and prominent leaders from Arab nations attended the commemoration event today in Katara Cultural Village which honoured Doha with the prestigious title. Yesterday, Doha was officially recognised as the Arab Tourism Capital 2023 by the Arab Tourism Organization for Tourism at a commemoration ceremony. Held under the patronage of His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani at the Katara Cultural Village. The event took place on Arab Tourism Day (February 25), and was attended by tourism ministers, ambassadors and prominent leaders from the nations that are represented by the Arab Tourism Organization, as well as Visit Qatar’s brand ambassadors Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mutaz Barsham. In addition to an official key handover ceremony which saw Doha being crowned the title Arab Tourism Capital for 2023, the event also featured spectacular performances by Dana Alfardan, as well as a Arda and fireworks show. Commenting on the occasion, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “It is an honour to see Doha being named as the Arab Tourism Capital 2023 by the Arab Tourism Organization. One of the industry’s most prestigious accolades, the Arab Tourism Capital award is a testament of our exceptional achievements in leisure and hospitality. I am proud of our city’s tireless efforts that have culminated in this honourable recognition and look forward to further cementing Doha’s position as one of the world’s most sought-after leisure destinations.” The Arab Arab Tourism Organization declared Doha as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2023, in its 25th session at the Arab League General Secretariat Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. The session was chaired by Jordanian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Nayef Fayez, amongst other prominent Arab leaders. Cities were evaluated based on a selection of criteria including tourism management, infrastructure and resources, safety and security, diversity of tourism activations, and preservation and protection of the environment. By continuing to host internationally renowned events, investing in hospitality offerings and expanding into more specialised areas of tourism, Qatar is in a perfect position to meet its goal of welcoming six million visitors a year by 2030.

Naseem One Million Worth Surgery is a CSR initiative to provide financial aid to deserving patients for surgeries at Naseem Surgical Centre. Naseem Healthcare, the top healthcare provider in Qatar, announced ‘Naseem One Million Worth Surgery’ on February 5 in a press conference held at the Naseem Medical Centre on C Ring Road. The initiative aims to provide 1 million QR worth of financial aid for Surgeries for those who deserve financial support to perform the procedure for better health. Guests can avail of the benefit from the Naseem Surgical Centre upon notifying of their affordability conditions. The initiative would benefit Qatar residents with valid Qatar IDs recommended by embassies, social, community, and charitable associations, prominent individuals, and our friendly media partners. After being diagnosed by our Doctors in the Surgical centre, the patients can discuss their affordability, who would be then directed to the program coordinator for detailed assessment and counselling and to secure approval from the approval committee. The internal approval committee constitutes the senior management officials of Naseem from finance, CSR, Medical Director, and branch operations. “Naseem Healthcare's dedication to enhancing the community's health and well-being and ensuring everyone has access to high-quality healthcare is demonstrated by this initiative. We are happy to provide this assistance to those in need and hope to improve their lives”, said Mohammad Miandad VP Managing Director of Naseem Healthcare and CMD of 33 Holdings during the press conference. The financial aid includes surgery charges such as Operating Theatre Charges, anaesthesia fee, surgeon fee, and pre-and post-op bed charges and OT Consumables but excludes Aesthetic Surgeries, VIP Rooms, Special Investigations and Special Implants. The financial aid is only for surgeries performed at Naseem Surgical Centre and will be adjusted in the surgery bill, and not paid in cash. The amount of financial aid will be partial or full depend on the patient's financial status. “Patrons or any organisations who wish to recommend can contact our special program team at 66224081, 30806833”, Dr Munir Ali Ibrahim, General Manager, Naseem Healthcare said while explaining about the advancements achieved by Naseem Healthcare in medical excellence and operational efficiency . “Naseem Surgical Centre also plans to conducts Medical & Surgical camps in association with various community social and charity organisations and Embassies to provide this benefits to the deserving patients”, Dr Munir added. Naseem Surgical Centre, a healthcare facility recently launched which is entirely dedicated to surgical procedures, and staffed by a team of over 30 doctors with surgical privileges for over 100 major surgeries in departments such as General Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Laparoscopic Surgery, Gynaecology, Surgical Urology, ENT, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Diagnostic & Therapeutic Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, said by Dr. Mudesser Rehan, General Surgeon, Naseem Surgical Centre. In Qatar, Naseem Healthcare is one of the most well-known medical facilities, providing care to more than 90,000 patients each month from 95 different countries through its 7 branches. The largest private healthcare provider in the nation, Naseem, has been serving Qatar for the past 17 years.

Now on its 4th year this 2023, Best Life Qatar Readers’ Choice aims to: give recognition to Filipino entrepreneurs in Qatar promote Filipino restaurants and businesses not only to the Filipino community but also to the international market. encourage entrepreneurs to rise up (from home business to registered business operation) share knowledge on social media management for business. Since 2020, Best Life Qatar has been conducting online surveys within the community. This is not packaged as an online competition but as a gauge on popularity of Filipino restaurants and companies in Qatar. This should help business owners evaluate their brand’s market awareness, their product and service quality, as well as their social media marketing strategies. As an independent initiative of Best Life Qatar, the first three years was conducted purely online: from the survey to the announcement and awarding of winners. It was always conducted in the beginning of the year which also coincides with the birthday of its founder and blogger, Mr. Zeke Tunay. As the years go by, the number of respondents had been steadily increasing from less than 500 votes on its initial launch to almost 2,500 in the latest survey this year 2023. But the organizers are hopeful to further increase the numbers and get as much involvement from the community to be able to reflect the real voice of its readers. “We are happy to know that all brands welcome the idea and the promotion that Readers’ Choice program is giving them. They were all appreciative of the attention given to them in recognition of their efforts, and for helping them reach more potential clients through social media.” – Mr. Zeke Tunay, founder and blogger of Best Life Qatar While the categories are changing every year depending on the nominations received from the blog readers, community readers, and partner social media influencers, we saw a big line-up of contenders this year. The winners are as follows: Most Popular Newcomer – Food Category: KA JOHNNY’S LOMI HOUSE QATAR (Special Citations: Gretsky’s Qatar, and Maya’s Kitchen Qatar) Most Popular Newcomer – Non Food Category: 3 JOHNS PNOY HAIRCUT Most Popular Filipino Beauty Salon: PURPLELINE HAIR AND BEAUTY LADIES SALON DOHA Most Popular Filipino Coffeeshop & Bakeshop: KABAYAN BREWERS (Special Citation: The Empanada House Doha) Most Popular Filipino Training Center: PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE QATAR Most Popular Homegrown Filipino Company (Products Category): KABAYAN MEAT SHOP QATAR (Special Citation: Kabayan Beauty Corner Trading WLL) Most Popular Homegrown Filipino Company (Services Category): CONOR INT’L EXPRESS CARGO & SERVICES - QATAR Most Popular Homegrown Filipino Restaurant (Diner Category): FILIPINO HOT PACK Most Popular Homegrown Filipino Restaurant (Restaurant Category): SARI SARI ASIAN FUSION RESTAURANT (Special Citation: Loming Barako Qatar – LOMBAR) Most Popular Filipino Company – International Franchise/Operation: MAX’S RESTAURANT MIDDLE EAST Through the help of its benevolent supporters, the first face to face results night was held at Crown Plaza Doha The Business Park on 21st January, 2023 and was attended by selected guests and media. Hoping that the succeeding years will become even bigger, BEST LIFE QATAR also hopes to put in place more security measures on the votes, an enhanced nomination procedure that will require certain level of standard and qualifications, and an overall program that will serve the purpose of giving encouragement and support to Filipino entrepreneurs thru trainings and promotional events like mini-bazaars or trade fairs. Best Life Qatar is one of the most active Filipino bloggers in Qatar, known as #QatarDaddyBlogger with its Family Adventure Blog (www.bestlifeqatar.com) that features their passion for travel, the activities they do as a family, the food places they love, thoughts on their minds, and more. Their followers are fondly called BLQadas or BLQ (barkada) “close friends” and the aim is to #liveyourbestlife. Now on its 7th year this February 2023, Best Life Qatar continues to be one of the most trusted social media content creators for local and international brands, an advocate for Filipino Entrepreneurs in Qatar, who will never forget the very reason why the blog came out in the first place – that is #blog2help (inform, inspire, entertain).

Five social media stars attend all 64 matches of Qatar 2022 as a part of SC initiative Ossy Marwah, Ben Black, Mercedes Roa, Gabi Martins and Ruben Slot had never crossed paths with each other before Qatar 2022. However, by the end of the tournament, the five social media stars created a bond that would last a lifetime. The quintet took part in Every Beautiful Game – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be in the stands for all 64 matches at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Organised by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), the experience enabled the group of five to take advantage of the tournament’s compact nature and attend every single match in the tournament. This included, at some point, attending 4 matches per day, for 11 days straight. Ben Black, with more than 5m Tik Tok followers said: “One day, it was like this is the easiest challenge ever, and then the next day you're just falling asleep in the van, and you know you still have two games to go, and you're falling asleep, but now that it’s over, I can proudly say - we did it!” “We literally never even knew of each other before the challenge and then we spent every single day with each other. We kept making jokes - oh by the end of this, we're going to hate each other, but I just love them all, each and every single one of them.” For Gabi Martins, who flew to Qatar from Brazil to take part in the challenge, the experience presented her with an important opportunity to showcase the region’s culture to her followers in South America. “I remember coming out of Al Thumama Stadium one day, when we were greeted by locals offering us fruits, dates and Arabic coffee. I shared that video on Tik Tok, and I received so many comments from around the world thanking me for sharing this part of Arab culture.” The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ was held over 29 days at 8 state-of-the-art stadiums, with the farthest distance between two stadiums no more than 75kms. The compact nature of Qatar 2022 allowed fans and players alike to remain in one place of accommodation throughout the tournament, creating a true carnival experience. “This has been the best month of my life. Being able to go to all the stadiums. Nobody will do this again and nobody has done it before. Being able to go to 64 matches - it was really exhausting,” said Ruben Slot from the Netherlands. YouTuber Ossy, who has more than 5.7m subscribers, said: “It was unbelievable. The football was unbelievable. We made history. The group is unbelievable. Everyone's so amazing in their own ways and everyone worked together so well.” Mercedes, who has 7.8m TikTok followers, spoke of the unifying nature of the beautiful game: “Thank you for everyone supporting us. I think what made everything so special were the people that were around us and I don't know where you were following from, but it doesn't matter, we're all one.” Follow @roadto2022news on Twitter and Instagram for news about the tournament’s legacy in Qatar, the region and the world.

Setting global standards of excellence in transportation for international mega events. Accomplishment described by the international media as ‘the most complex transport operations that has ever been staged for an international sports event’. Transporting more than 7,550,760 passengers during the tournament. Reduced the carbon footprint equivalent of the CO2 absorption of 18,078 trees. Doha, Qatar; 20th December 2022: With the conclusion of Qatar 2022, Mowasalat (Karwa) has set new standards for event transportation worldwide: The company has shown that mega-operations can be achieved with sustainable solutions. For Qatar 2022, Mowasalat (Karwa) deployed 4000 buses and a workforce of more than 18,000 staff from 90 nations, including thousands of specially trained drivers for the tournament. The bus services safely shuttled more than 7,550,760 passengers through all services, including the public bus and Metrolink network, which operated for extended hours during the tournament on more than 200 routes. Mowasalat (Karwa) provided diverse tournament bus services, including accommodation connector services, which transported passengers to stadiums from the main accommodations’ hubs and cruise ships, beside Central Doha services, which were dedicated to transport passengers to fan zones and events around the Corniche, Central Doha, and the B-Ring and C-Ring Roads. The airports connector services took care of travelers from Hamad International Airport and Doha International Airport. Mowasalat (Karwa) also provided taxis, limousines, and accessible vehicles services around the clock at the airports. At the conclusion of this mammoth project, the company recorded an incredible 2,910,425 of kilometers driven and 234,447 of operational staff working hours ONLY for the tournament related bus services. One of the most spectacular offerings, and as a FIRST in the history of the tournament, fans had the opportunity to watch more than a match in one day through the dedicated Stadium-to-Stadium shuttles – which was truly appreciated by 54,709 of users. As a special service to Qatar’s neighbouring countries, about 600 buses were dedicated to transport a total of 414,970 fans arriving at Abu Samra borders to attend matches and enjoy the tournament. Another FIRST was the deployment of almost 900 E-buses, which reduced the carbon footprint of the event in an equivalent of the CO2 absorption of 18,078 of trees. This is not only part of the company’s declared sustainability goals, but -on a larger scale- also Mowasalat’s goal to contribute to the ecological target of the Qatar National Vision 2030. In this regard, the tournament acted as a catalyst to build expertise in environmentally friendly transport solutions, which will be one foundation pillar of a soon 100% green public shared transport network. In line with the country’s agenda of ‘Qatar for All’, the company also made good on its promise to provide easy and reliable access to transportation for people in wheelchairs. Mowasalat dedicated a fleet of 70 special vehicles that operated around the clock to make sure that everyone could enjoy the spectacle to the fullest. In addition, more than 938 buses from our fleet were wheelchair accessible. For guests with individual transport requirements, Karwa ramped up its Taxi and Limousines Services to cater to the enormous influx of international guests. 3000 vehicles ran for a total of 571,699 trips and brought almost 1 million passengers to their individual destinations in and around Doha. Fahad Saad Al Qahtani, the CEO of Mowasalat (Karwa), said: “I am more than pleased to see that years of detailed planning, training, and testing have paid off to provide an exceptional experience and bring seamless, safe and eco-friendly transportation to the community of fans, residents, and guests from all over the world. Qatar 2022 has shown what we are capable of and greatly elevated the country’s profile in the world. Our team has gone to great lengths to employ the latest technology, equipment, and vehicles to achieve our high sustainability goals. Most of all, the realization of this project could not have happened without the commitment and dedication of thousands of volunteers and staff that put and keep all gears in motion. We are proud to have added considerable value to the event, and to again have underlined the company’s leading role in transportation in the region.” On his part, Mr. Ahmad Hassan Al Obaidly, the COO of Mowasalat (Karwa), said: "We are proud of our contribution to the successful delivery of transport services, which have been one of the cornerstones in the success of this exceptional edition of the tournament. We are pleased to see the rewards of thorough planning and analysis of fleet capabilities through test runs and the provision of transport services to a number of international tournaments, that were considered mini editions of the World Cup. All of this has helped to develop world-class transport operations.” For Mowasalat (Karwa), the gain from Qatar2022 is a legacy of expertise and readiness to provide transportation services for any future events hosted by Qatar, while making use of the country’s brand-new infrastructure. The tournament has also served as a catalyst for the electrification of the public transport fleet, and the broad acceptance of shared transport. Mowasalat (Karwa) has proven to be a determining pillar on the way to a connected, greener Qatar.

Legendary footballer shares his passion for football, keen interest in film and his take on work ethics at special screening of ‘Save Our Squad with David Beckham’ presented by the Doha Film Institute The exclusive event was held for the Ajyal jurors and included a panel discussion moderated by youth advocate Moza Al Hajiri with Beckham and filmmakers A.J.Al-Thani and Mo’men Ghanim Doha, Qatar; December 21, 2022: The Doha Film Institute (DFI) organised a special screening of the factual entertainment series Save our Squad starring global sporting icon David Beckham for the jurors of the Ajyal Film Festival, in the presence of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of DFI and other distinguished guests. Co-produced by Studio 99 and Twenty Twenty for Disney+, the inspirational series follows Beckham as he returns to his roots in East London to mentor a struggling under 14’s football team playing in the same league that Beckham himself played in as a boy. The screening was followed by a panel discussion that brought out the side of the legendary footballer that showed a man defined by his roots and committed to giving back to the community and to the game that he is so passionate about. Doha Film Institute CEO, Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, commented, “It was an honour to collaborate with David Beckham and Studio 99 on this very special and inspiring screening for our Ajyal family. The Institute encourages diverse perspectives and believes in the transformative power of storytelling and of young voices. We are grateful to partner with likeminded individuals and organisations who share our vision of providing opportunities for the active and meaningful participation of youth in their communities. Together, we will reinforce important connections that empower young people to transcend challenges to build a brighter future.” Addressing the young audience in Doha, Beckham said ‘Save Our Squad with David Beckham’, a show that brought him back to where his football career started – East London – was a “personal project for him.” “It enabled me to work with people where I grew up and give back to the game that has given me so much. It was important for me to go back to East London and when I heard about the Westward Boys (an under 14 grassroots side from East London), I immediately wanted to be a part of it. It wasn’t easy for the boys, but I got to know them the way I never would and that was very special for me.” The documentary, streaming on Disney+, portrays Beckham’s experience mentoring the Westward Boys. From heroics to heartbreak and failure to redemption, the experiences that Westward Boys, their coaches and their families go through over the course of the season strikes an emotional chord, as Beckham intended. “I hope people are inspired by what they see and all the people I spoke to who watched the series laughed and cried and were inspired by it.” Beckham said the take-away message is that “it is not about being the best footballer but about being humble and hardworking,” he said. Putting work ethic over talent, Beckham said that “talent only takes you so far, but hard work takes you further and working as a team takes you even further.” ‘Save Our Squad with David Beckham’ is co-produced by Beckham’s production company Studio 99, and the beginning of several exciting upcoming projects. “I am proud to say that we are filming some scenes here in Doha for a project about the history of Adidas and Puma. It is a very interesting story, which has never been told in the way that we are doing so now. We have shot in different locations around the world for it and it’s great to be able to shoot some scenes here, whilst Qatar hosts the world’s biggest tournament. We are working with great people and continue to be inspired by talented young people who are passionate about what they do.” He said he was always passionate about films and Studio 99 was co-founded with people who have been his long-time friends, saying: “I am excited about the stories we can create together through the Studio.” Beckham said his favourite part of making the series was “working with the boys and meeting their families. They literally opened their homes for me, and we spoke not just about their football aspirations but about their lives – their schooling, feelings in life and what they want to achieve.” Addressing the panel with David Beckham, Qatari filmmaker A.J Al-Thani said one of her biggest inspirations was football and David Beckham. “I chose a career of dreams and as a filmmaker I am in the industry of pursing and chasing my dreams. My playing field was the desert, and my biggest inspiration is to showcase our culture and the beauty of our country and nature in our stories. Hosting the World Cup in Qatar is a great legacy for the region, anchoring a newfound respect for Arab people and their aspirations, values and traditions.” Qatar-based Palestinian filmmaker Mo’men said films play a vital role in promoting cultural exchange. “We live in a time of fake news, and we should focus on authenticity and develop films based on research. The more we go in depth and the more we learn, the better the films become.” He said hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Doha has further enabled people to connect across geographic boundaries over the love for football. David Beckham goes to his roots in Disney-branded series Save Our Squad. Co-produced by BAFTA and RTS Award-winning production company Twenty Twenty, and Studio 99, the global content and production studio co-founded by Beckham, Save Our Squad is a heart-warming series that sees Beckham return to the East London football pitches where he played as a child. Here he will mentor a young grassroots side who are struggling to survive in the league. Beckham and his team take these players, their coach, and their community on an uplifting journey of a lifetime. Save our Squad is executive produced by Sean Doyle for Disney.

GWC outline extensive logistics mandate during Qatar 2022™ as the country looks forward to hosting more major international mega-events in the future. 20 December 2022: The resounding success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ lays a platform for the country to host major international events long into the future. The tournament will also significantly boost the development of business sectors across the country – including logistics. Sheikh Abdulla Bin Fahad Bin Jassem Bin Jabor Al Thani, Chairman, GWC, said: “we have spent years preparing for this mega-event and stood ready to support Qatar, the local organizing committee and FIFA to deliver a memorable edition of international football’s showpiece event. We are also determined to leverage this tournament to deliver a robust economic legacy that benefits businesses large and small for generations to come – in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.” A colossal undertaking Delivering the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world involved a gigantic logistical mandate, which was handled in Qatar by GWC; the Official Logistics Provider for the tournament. The numbers involved are staggering: GWC handled more than 15 million cans of beverage, 1.8 million pieces of equipment, 117,900 pieces of furniture, 20,400 traffic and safety assets, 34,700 office supplies and 20,000 spectator and traffic barriers. This was in addition to all the tournament equipment, including kits, uniforms and footballs. Transporting fresh food and beverages to a host of tournament sites was another key deliverable. For the media, GWC handled more than 30,000 pieces of equipment, including cameras, tripods and lighting, with everything delivered to and from eight stadiums, 36 team base camp hotels, two airports, two seaports, media hubs, fan zones and other sites. Serving the logistics requirements of an event as large as the FIFA World Cup™ needs a forward-thinking strategy in order to deliver a seamless operation. GWC implemented a control tower approach for Qatar 2022™ which delivered according to a master delivery schedule (MDS). This acted as the central point for all logistical activities; from the time an order needs to be picked up, where it has to be delivered, the time it is due and its current status. Vision coming to fruition From a logistics standpoint; people, processes and technology are the key ingredients, according to GWC’s Group CEO, Ranjeev Menon. “When you are delivering the logistics mandate of the FIFA World Cup™ detailed planning is imperative,” said Menon. “What we saw during Qatar 2022™ was the result of years of preparation. It was our plans – and those of our stakeholders in Qatar and globally – coming to fruition.” “In order to optimise the value chain and unlock maximum potential, it is essential for companies to get the right balance between people, processes and technology. At GWC, we believe the success of Qatar 2022™ was people-driven, technology-fuelled and goal-orientated,” Menon added. Qatar’s growing MSMEs sector Hosting the FIFA World Cup™ has cemented Qatar’s status as a global hub for major international events – laying a platform for significant economic development, in particular helping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) flourish in the country and across the region. In early 2022, GWC opened Al Wukair Logistics Park, its largest logistics park to date. Covering an area of 1,500,000m² that caters specifically for MSMEs. The site provides all their commercial needs, as well as affording an opportunity to network with like-minded businesses. GWC is an enabler and catalyst for MSMEs – helping them to establish and grow their businesses and leverage Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup. Menon said: “MSMEs have benefitted massively from the World Cup in a vast range of sectors, including logistics. The challenge now is for MSMEs to leverage the tournament’s legacy and grow their businesses, supported by the platform which Qatar built.” Menon praised Qatar’s leadership for fostering a conducive business environment and helping the logistics industry to flourish – boosted significantly by hosting the biggest sporting event on the planet. “We have received massive support from all sectors from day one of our journey. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the vision, commitment and passion of Qatar’s wise leadership,” said Menon. “One area of particular support would be Qatar’s management of the public-private-partnership, something GWC is proud to be taking part in. Through this partnership, we are committed to developing Qatari abilities and reinforcing the logistics sector’s role and contribution to economic development, while offering direction to government projects for new approaches and modern vision in managing national projects efficiently and sustainably.” Integrated systems and dedicated staff Delivering Qatar 2022™ involved an extensive range of services, including asset management and tracking, asset recovery and dissolution, pre-receipt processes, warehousing, pick, pack and dispatch, logistics fleet management, materials distribution, vehicle delivery permit distribution, freight forwarding, customs clearance, reverse logistics and last mile delivery. A prime example of such operation was the distribution of +200,000 match tickets both locally and internationally. The operation included collection of tickets, parking passes and other ticketing accessories, sorting, segregating, inventory creation, all the way to international and local delivery. The compact nature of the tournament proved a huge advantage. Qatar delivered the most compact edition of the FIFA World Cup™ in modern history, with every stadium located within an hour’s journey time from central Doha. Menon said: “From the very beginning, Qatar highlighted the opportunity to host a compact World Cup for the benefit of fans, players and officials. While it has been amazing for fans to attend more than one match a day, Qatar’s geographical footprint has also proved to be hugely beneficial in terms of logistics, making it simple for people and products to be in the right locations at the right time.” GWC’s state-of-the-art dedicated logistics network A dedicated 50,000m² warehouse footprint, plus more than 150 dedicated vehicles – all within 45 minutes of any stadium and more than 400 key sites – were the foundations for success. More than 200 truck drivers covered 1,900,000km of distribution journeys over 288,000 hours, backed by 1,200 venue operations staff and six bespoke logistics systems. All were dedicated to delivering on-time and in-full for a host of stakeholders, including FIFA, participating teams, commercial affiliates, broadcasters, media, fans, staff, suppliers and vendors. “The key to everything is long-term planning, dedicated training for thousands of staffs and a range of relevant test events. We benefitted significantly from staging tournaments like the FIFA Club World Cup, on two occasions, and the FIFA Arab Cup, along with local events such as the Amir Cup,” said Menon. “Going forward, we will focus on the further integration of artificial intelligence and automation, to make it simpler and quicker to deliver our objectives. We have also seen a major focus on sustainability and delivering environmentally-friendly solutions during the FIFA World Cup™ and we will continue to support these trends to continue in the future,” added Menon. He continued: “The final lesson learnt is that hosting mega-events in a compact setting is not only preferable for fans and players – it is also hugely beneficial for organisers and the people and businesses involved in logistics planning and delivery.” The importance of reverse logistics While the players head back to their clubs and competing week to week in leagues around the world, GWC will focus on reverse logistics, which means returning every item to its next destination. Menon said: “Just about everything that arrived in Qatar needs to be returned home safely. Reverse logistics is a major part of our operation, and our work will continue long after the trophy has been lifted. We will work closely with our stakeholders to carefully demobilize every item and ship it securely back to its next destination.” A bright future Menon is looking forward to a positive future for Qatar, GWC and the logistics sector. He said: “What has been clear from day one is that hosting the FIFA World Cup™ is part of a long-term plan for Qatar. It is accelerating the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030 and helping a number of industries to grow and develop, including the vital logistics sector. “Our goals now are to continue supporting the country in its mission to host major international events, building on the incredible legacy of hosting the first FIFA World Cup™ in the Middle East and Arab world, and expanding our footprint into countries across the region. We are very confident a bright future lies ahead for both Qatar and GWC.”

Doha, Qatar (20 December 2022) – Msheireb Downtown Doha sets the record for receiving more than 4 million fans from Qatar and around the world during the World Cup, making the city a global destination. The city offered various immersive and comprehensive experiences such as museum exhibitions, performances and celebrations that engaged the visitors to keep up with the excitement. The various events organized with several partners brought families and guests from all cultural backgrounds together in a city where one can discover Qatari heritage and traditions. Maryam Al Jassem, Manager of PR and Communication, at Msheireb Properties stated: “We are pleased to have hosted many visitors from all over the world to show our world-class facilities while appreciating Qatari culture and heritage. Msheireb continues to contribute to Qatar’s sustainability goals to create a better future for us all. We are excited for the rest of the world to discover their world in a downtown in the future.” Millions of fans enjoyed activations that were held in every corner of the city. The city district offered several cultural, art, entrainment and sport activations that added great value to the football experience. The Host Country Media Center provided broadcast and media facilities for 2,500 journalists coming from around the world including broadcasting stations, live games viewing stations, conference rooms, and service centers. Moreover, live performances by renowned artists from all over the world celebrated the joyous occasion at Sikkat Al Wadi, Msheireb Galleria and Barahat Msheireb which had a dedicated private area for watching the matches and hosted a live performance by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra. Located at the heart of Doha, Msheireb Downtown Doha is the ideal place to explore the nation’s history and culture. With the latest innovation that are implemented throughout the city, making the visit more pleasurable and sustainable. Moreover, thousands of visitors enjoyed the sustainable way of transportation inside the city district by the eco-friendly tram, or on foot in line with highest safety and security measures. The district prides itself on promoting sustainability that contribute to Qatar’s national vision, as one of the most smart and sustainable cities in the world.

“Feel More in Qatar” campaign highlights wide range of positive emotions experienced by families, couples, and friends in Qatar. Campaign will launch in over seventeen markets across the world, from Asia, to Europe and North America. The 360-campaign will be featured on TV, social media, digital channels, press materials, out-of-homes and website. Qatar Tourism has launched its new “Feel More in Qatar” campaign, which aims to highlight the country’s position as a premium destination, and as the Middle East’s top choice for the well-travelled tourist. Whether it’s a family looking to reconnect, or a couple longing for a vacation, “Feel More in Qatar” seeks to bring to life the country’s rich emotional tapestry. Be it the famously warm traditional Qatari hospitality, the serenity of the country’s natural wonders, or the awe-inspiring architecture, the campaign showcases that a visit to Qatar genuinely stirs the senses for every member of a family, regardless of age. Overall, the campaign demonstrates that Qatar offers families, couples and friends, not just a collection of things to do, but a superior emotional experience. Families can ‘feel more together’, couples can ‘feel more connected’ and friends can ‘feel more fun’. The year-round sunshine, adventurous activities, romantic experiences, cultural offerings, and much more, makes Qatar the perfect destination for families, couples and friends. The “Feel More in Qatar” campaign forms part of the country’s long-term strategy to welcome six million visitors by 2030. Commenting on the new campaign, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “With its rich and fascinating heritage, natural beauty, and range of experiences to choose from, a visit to Qatar inspires positive emotional responses for all. Be it a couple on a short romantic getaway, or a family looking to spend quality time together, the country caters to all wants, needs and preferences, offering an array of truly authentic experiences that are genuinely unforgettable.” The global campaign will operate in over 17 markets across the world, including Australia, the UK and Turkey. Taking a 360-approach, the campaign will be featured on TV, social media channels, digital channels, press channels, out-of-homes and have a dedicated website.