Qatar Tourism recently launched a new stopover holiday campaign featuring David Beckham to support the country’s tourism goals and ambition to attract over six million visitors a year by 2030.

The campaign showcased Beckham’s action-packed adventure around the country over the course of 48 hours, a glimpse into how Qatar offers visitors everything from cultural hotspots to scenic landscapes.

Led by passionate local personalities, Beckham is seen discovering the country as he explores the winding spice markets of Souq Waqif, soaks up local street art, cooks tacos infused with local flavours, camps in the desert, and sees the sights around Doha on a motorbike.

Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Qatar Tourism Chairman and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar Al Baker said it has been a pleasure to welcome David to Qatar.

I encourage the millions who transit through Qatar every year to follow in David’s footsteps and create their own exciting adventure and memories. We have something for everyone at an incredible value, whether it’s sun, sea and sand, rich heritage and culture, surprising nature, or a modern and fun city break.

Beckham, meanwhile, said that Qatar has surprised him with a wide range of great experiences, and a great place to spend a few days. He added that the people of Qatar are really passionate about their culture and the mix of modern and traditional creates something really special.

I saw so much during my trip from spice markets to museums to enjoying a ride on my motorbike, which was one of the highlights.

Turning a stopover into a mini break

With more than 80% of the world’s population within a six-hour flight from Qatar, this campaign showcases how Qatar is an excellent place to turn a stopover into a mini break. Through this campaign, Qatar Tourism seeks to raise awareness of the world’s best value stopover packages, which are on offer from Qatar Airways.

The campaign will see content across digital advertising, social media channels and the Qatar Tourism website, in addition to being shared by selected partners. The campaign video will also be hosted on the in-flight entertainment system Oryx of Qatar Airways.

 

During his tour of Qatar, Beckham went on adventures with the following people:

  • Chef Noor Al Mazroei of Rosado Café who took David on a tour of the spice market in Souq Waqif
  • Saad Ismail Al Jassim, one of Qatar’s last legendary pearl divers, gave David a lesson on the country’s historic  pearling industry, before the discovery of oil and gas
  • Qatari artist Abdulaziz Yousef showed David around Souq Waqif’s Art Centre
  • Visiting chef and Mexican television personality Chef Aquiles Chaves, helped David cook tacos fused with Qatari flavours
  • Sheikha Reem Al Thani, Acting Deputy CEO of Exhibitions and Marketing and Director of Centralized Exhibitions at Qatar Museums, accompanied David as he explored one of Qatar’s most iconic museums
  • Qatari falcon trainers Khalid and Majid greeted David at a desert camp near Khor Al Adaid, also known as the Inland Sea
  • Qatari Motorcycle Champion Saeed Al Sulaiti rode with David around The Pearl-Qatar, a man-made island with shops, hotels and colourful residential neighbourhoods
  • Qatari filmmaker Hamida Issa Al Kuwari guided David through Katara Cultural Village, Qatar’s go-to destination for art, food and culture
  • Dhow and Qatari Marine Expert Khalid Al Hamadi accompanied David aboard a traditional wooden dhow boat

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