How to Explore Qatar by Bicycle, Metro and on Foot

Qatar Tourism

DOHA, Qatar, May 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With just six months to go until the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Qatar Tourism has revealed how easy it is to explore the country by metro, bicycle or on foot.

With more than one million international fans expected to visit during the tournament, public transport services will be crucial to attend matches and see tourism sights in a safe and affordable way.

Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism Berthold Trenkel said: “Visitors don’t need a car to explore Doha, as all the top attractions are located accessibly along our metro and tram network. To see the sights stress-free, it’s also surprisingly simple to stroll around the city.

“For example, our vibrant café-lined downtown district of Msheireb connects, via a convenient passage, to the historical Souq Waqif; a walk between both really brings to life Qatar’s fusion of ancient heritage and modern development – a theme prevalent across the country’s society, culture, and architecture.”

How to explore Qatar

By metro…

Doha Metro is one of the most advanced train systems in the world. The state-of-the-art network has been operational since 2019 and features 100 km/h trains, driverless carriages and even a Gold Class for premium passengers.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ fans will find the metro provides a practical and inexpensive means to attend matches. The system links Hamad International Airport (HIA) with five of the eight stadiums.

A journey costs as little as 2 QAR for a one-way trip (0.55 USD), after a reusable travel card (valid for five years) has been purchased for 10 QAR (2.75 USD).

The system’s red, green and gold lines also link the capital’s best cultural, leisure and shopping attractions. A bus service called Metrolink provides free shuttle rides across the city to metro station entrances.

Stops on the red line include Katara, Doha’s go-to destination for arts, culture, and cuisine; West Bay, the city’s skyscraper-laden central district; Msheireb, the downtown sustainable revival of the old commercial district with a fleet of al fresco dining options; and HIA at the end of the line.

The gold line takes passengers to the iconic National Museum of Qatar and Souq Waqif’s bustling marketplace. It then ventures on to Aspire Zone, a large green area featuring parks, the Khalifa International Stadium, the 300m-tall The Torch Doha, Villaggio Mall and the new 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum – displaying objects such as Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves, Pelé’s World Cup winning football boots and Michael Schumacher’s title winning F1 car from 2000.

Finally, the green line stretches from the centre of Doha out to Education City, the country’s hub for learning and education, with university campuses, parks, the stunning Education City Mosque and the Qatar National Library. The line then extends out to the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium and Mall of Qatar.

By tram…

Accompanying the Doha Metro is a series of tram services that operate in specific city districts. Both the Education City Tram and Msheireb Tram offer a convenient, free-of-charge service that circle around their respective areas.

Lusail Tram, which launched at the start of 2022, provides an extensive route around Lusail – Qatar’s sustainable city of the future and the heart of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Sights include Lusail Stadium (which will host the tournament’s final) and Place Vendôme – a giant new luxury shopping mall with a central canal, dancing water fountains, and more than 500 high-end and mid-range stores. Ticket costs for the Lusail Tram are in line with Doha Metro’s at 2 QAR for a one-way trip (0.55 USD).

By bicycle…

Cycling in Qatar has never been easier, with new tracks constantly opening as the government increases the emphasis on healthy and active lifestyles.

Most notable of all the routes is the Olympic Cycling Track, which opened in 2020. At 33 kilometres, this track holds the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous cycle path in the world. Five bridges and nearly 30 underpasses facilitate non-stop riding.

Next, while the Lusail International Circuit usually plays host to F1 cars and MotoGP bikes, it also opens its five-kilometre track to cyclists, runners, walkers and skaters for three hours of free training every Wednesday evening. Bicycles can be hired at the track for a small fee.

For something a little less intense, cyclists can visit Al Bidda Park, which offers five kilometres of smooth riding surrounded by lush natural greenery. Another five-kilometre track lies in Aspire Zone Park, where special helmets are provided and a Learn to Ride initiative encourages children to hop onto two wheels.

For more cycling inspired activities in Qatar visit: https://www.visitqatar.qa/intl-en/things-to-do/get-inspired/cycling-in-qatar

By foot…

A walk around Doha’s Corniche and downtown area is arguably the best way for first-time visitors to see and soak up Qatari culture in a short time.

Starting at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), visitors should stroll around the large park outside the museum, to the nearly 25 metres high ‘7’ sculpture by the acclaimed American artist Richard Serra. His tallest ever creation, ‘7’ is made from seven steel plates in reference to the significance of the number in Islamic culture.

Nearby MIA Park is Doha Harbour along the corniche, featuring hundreds of dhows. Dhows are traditional wooden boats, and they were the backbone of Qatar’s economy when pearl diving was the country’s main industry.

After the corniche, it’s easy to spend a couple of hours immersed in the ambiance of the Souq Waqif, Qatar’s iconic traditional marketplace. Originally a weekend market for Bedouins, the souq underwent a complete restoration in the mid-noughties and offers a maze of narrow alleyways lined with small shops, cafes, and restaurants.

At the souq’s exit, a series of staircases and escalators take visitors up into Msheireb Downtown Doha, a walk that blends Qatar’s ancient heritage into its vibrant future. Msheireb is the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project and comprises more than 100 buildings housing art galleries, shops and cafes. Spread across the district are the Msheireb Museums, celebrating the history of Qatar’s heritage houses: Bin Jelmood House, Company House, Mohammed Bin Jassim House, and Radwani House.

-Ends-

For media-related inquiries, please contact Qatar Tourism’s Press Office on:

+974 7774 7863 | pressoffice@visitqatar.qa 

About Qatar: 

Qatar is a peninsula surrounded by the Arabian Gulf in the heart of the Middle East, with 80% of the earth’s population within a six-hour flight. Ranked the safest country in the world in 2022 by Numbeo, Qatar welcomes all travellers, and guests from over 95 countries can enter visa-free. Qatar has an incredible variety of easily accessible tourist attractions, a plethora of fauna and flora including Whale Sharks and the majestic national animal the Arabian Oryx, and most experiences are a unique combination of cultural authenticity and modernity. From iconic museums to high-rise restaurants, from thrilling desert adventures to world-famous events including none other than the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, there is something for all types of travellers and budgets. Travellers set to transit through Qatar should turn one holiday into two with the world’s best value stopover packages, launched by Qatar Airways and Discover Qatar and supported by Qatar Tourism.

About Qatar Tourism: 

Qatar Tourism is the official government body responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in Qatar, facilitating the sector’s exponential growth. Qatar is a destination where people of the world come together to experience unique offerings in arts, culture, sports, and adventure, catering to family and business visitors, rooted in Service Excellence. Qatar Tourism seeks to boost the entire tourism value chain, grow local and international visitor demand, attract inward investment, and drive a multiplier effect across the domestic economy. The Qatar Tourism Strategy 2030 sets an ambitious target to attract over six million international visitors a year by 2030, making Qatar the fastest-growing destination in the Middle East.

Web: www.visitqatar.qa

Twitter: @VisitQatar

Instagram: @VisitQatar

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Verisk Appoints Lee M. Shavel as CEO, Mark V. Anquillare as President, Three New Independent Directors to Board of Directors

Lee M. Shavel Headshot

JERSEY CITY, N.J., May 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Verisk (Nasdaq: VRSK), a leading global data analytics provider, today announced the appointment of Lee M. Shavel to CEO and Mark V. Anquillare to President following the company’s annual shareholder meeting. Shavel was also elected to the Verisk Board of Directors. At this time, three new independent directors, nominated by the company, were elected to the company’s Board of Directors: Jeffrey Dailey, Wendy Lane and Kimberly S. Stevenson.

“Verisk has a profound opportunity to help the insurance industry evolve in a new digital environment, integrate and activate rapidly growing data sets and achieve new levels of efficiency. With our industry knowledge, technical expertise and established client relationships, we are uniquely positioned to address their needs as an essential technology partner,” Shavel said. “I’m humbled to assume the role of Verisk CEO, and I will be focused on value creation for our customers, colleagues and shareholders. This is a great responsibility and one I truly cherish.”

Mark V. Anquillare Headshot

Most recently, Shavel served as CFO and group president for Verisk. Anquillare served as COO and group president. Shavel and Anquillare have been architects and drivers of Verisk’s growth, increased efficiency and an innovation agenda that has helped the insurance industry successfully turn data into actionable insights and accelerate its digital transformation.

“With a sharpened focus on serving the insurance industry, we’ve optimized our path toward continued growth and enhanced value creation,” Anquillare said. “At such a pivotal moment for the industry, Verisk is poised to empower new opportunities for our customers and colleagues around the globe.”

Shavel’s replacement as CFO will be named at a later date.

Biographies for Lee M. Shavel, Mark V. Anquillare, Jeffrey Dailey, Wendy Lane and Kimberly S. Stevenson can be found here.

About Verisk
Verisk (Nasdaq: VRSK) provides data-driven analytic insights and solutions for the insurance and energy industries. Through advanced data analytics, software, scientific research and deep industry knowledge, Verisk empowers customers to strengthen operating efficiency, improve underwriting and claims outcomes, combat fraud and make informed decisions about global issues, including climate change and extreme events as well as political and ESG topics. With offices in more than 30 countries, Verisk consistently earns certification by Great Place to Work and fosters an inclusive culture where all team members feel they belong. For more, visit Verisk.com and the Verisk Newsroom.

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Investor Relations
Stacey Brodbar
Head of Investor Relations
Verisk
201-469-4327
stacey.brodbar@verisk.com

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Alberto Canal
Verisk
201-469-2618
alberto.canal@verisk.com

Employers Advised to Ease Workers to Join Commune/Sangkat Election

Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training has notified employers to allow their employees to take days off and to possibly ease their financial constraint so that they can join the upcoming Commune/Sangkat Council Election.

The notification dated on May 24 specified that workers are entitled to one paid day off before the June 5 election, and another day off after the election.

The days off are supposed to enable workers, especially those residing far away from their polling stations, with sufficient travel time for the election.

Workers who are absent beyond the days entitled, added the notice, will have to face internal regulations of their respective work place.

It also encouraged the employers to pay their employees or at least allow them to make some budget advance particularly to cover their travel cost to cast their vote.

The ministry’s decision followed a concurrence of its request as such by the Royal Government of Cambodia.

Cambodia is expecting the 5th Commune/Sangkat Council Election on June 5 and a total of 17 political parties have been registered for it.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press

NEC Allows ‘Special Guests’ to Monitor Local Election

Cambodia National Election Committee (NEC) has officially permitted ‘special guests’ to join in monitoring the in-coming Commune/Sangkat Council Election.

The permission was presented in a decision signed by NEC President H.E. Prach Chan and circulated on May 24.

The decision defined special guests for the 5th Commune/Sangkat Council Election in 2022 as delegates from embassies or foreign representations in Cambodia who will join in monitoring the election but are not observers.

To be the special guests, embassies and foreign representations in Cambodia will need to send a notification to NEC along with a list of their assigned delegate(s) and translator(s), and their portrait photos.

The NEC decision also informed competent authorities at all polling stations to facilitate the monitoring of the special guests.

The Commune/Sangkat Council Election will take place on June 5 and a total of 17 political parties have been registered for the race.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press

Cambodia to Focus on ASEAN Recovery and Promote Its Vibrancy

Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, said as the rotating Chair of ASEAN, Cambodia will focus on the ASEAN recovery and the enhancement of ASEAN to be more competitive and vibrant.

Speaking at the Discussion with Stakeholders under the theme “Strategic Outlook on ASEAN” on May 24 as part of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2022 being held in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, Samdech Techo Hun Sen said ASEAN is now 55 years old and has become a community full of peace, security, stability and prosperity.

ASEAN has played an important role in shaping political and economic architecture in the regional and global framework, he said, adding that with new challenges such as COVID-19 pandemic, Russian-Ukraine war, and Myanmar issue, ASEAN is in a turning point in the history of the world where the rules-based international order and multilateralism have been being shaken.

Samdech Techo Prime Minister emphasised that as the ASEAN Chair, Cambodia will boost the ASEAN recovery, vibrancy and competitiveness through the promotion of the ASEAN Community building and efforts to address all challenges to the bloc, as well as participation with its partners to deal with common regional and global issues.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press