Summer Fun Park a hit with families
by Reynald Rivera – peninsulaqatar.com
DOHA: Ten days after it opened, the Doha Summer Fun Park is proving to be the leisure destination for families in Qatar, recording 40,000 visitors on the first seven days, according to the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA).
The visitors are not just from Qatar but also from neighbouring countries such as Saudi Arabia, said QTA Chairman Ahmed Al Nuaimi.
The big number of visitors, though, doesn’t translate into profits for businesses occupying the 70 stalls in the sprawling Qatar Exhibition Centre.
“Business is not that good most of the time, except on Thursdays and Fridays,” said Jeck, a shopkeeper from Dubai-based Qingfeng Trading, which sells bags, footwear and toys.
“Many people come to window shop and only a few buy our products,” she said, adding they sold around 10 bags a day. In demand are their trendy bags which are sourced from Taiwan and other countries, costing about QR150. The different toys they offer are tagged at QR40 to QR60.
There are shops selling cosmetics like perfumes, sold in Damascus Gate, which has a presence in most Gulf countries including Oman, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar. The Syria-based shop has a wide selection of perfumes, almost hundred varieties, most of which are cheap imitation perfumes, the most expensive of which are priced at QR50.
It is hard to tell the difference between the original designer perfumes Calvin Klein, Chanel, Dunhill and Gucci and the 70ml imitation bottles sold in the shop.
At an average the shop’s revenue reaches QR2,000 to QR3,000 a day, according to Ammar, the owner of the shop.
“Still it’s not that good considering the rental fee which is a thousand a day. I just hope that when Ramadan comes, business would pick up,” he said, adding the present business trend was normal considering the fact that many people had gone overseas for vacation.
Ammar said perfumes were a favourite item during Ramadan apart from sweets, which he sells in another shop at the venue.
Aseef of Vishruti which specialises on bangles, bracelets, rings, necklaces and other accessories says business is just average.
“We have good customers in Qatar but in terms of our income these past few days, it’s just normal,” he said, adding their income on a Friday when the amusement park has the most number of visitors is around QR4,000.
Their products sourced from diverse countries such as India, Nepal and the Philippines cost from QR10 to QR200 and are made from brass, silver, glass and semi-precious stones.
Aseef is of the same view that business would improve during Ramadan.
Shoppers can also buy ready-to-wear clothes mostly for kids and ladies, textiles, spices, jewellery and abayas at the pavilions.
With the reduced prices of the amusement rides implemented by the QTA four days ago, more people, especially children, avail of the rides provided by Dubai-based Freij Entertainment. However, the more expensive rides, most of which are thrill rides, are the ones which attract more people. Priced at QR15 the rides include City Hopper, Tagada Disco, Crazy Wave, Musik Express and Bumper Cars.
That is not surprising though since these thrill rides offer exhilarating experiences which fills teenager’s thirst for thrill.
“I have already tried the City Hopper three times tonight but I’m not yet satisfied, never will,” said 15-year-old Assad, who said he had been coming back to the Fun Park almost every day ever since it opened.
Asked what drives him to keep venturing on the rides, he said the different feeling he gets every time.
Precautionary and safety measures are being imposed for the thrill rides such as installing height measuring boards and warning signs. Children’s height must not be below 140cm to be allowed to ride City Hopper and Tagada while for Crazy Wave the minimum height for riders is 120cm. Pregnant women and those with serious health problems are warned against the rides and the organisers see to it they are prepared in case of accidents. Most of the family rides are priced at QR10 including Choo Choo Train, Formula 1, Carousel, Aladdin, Circus, Motor Show, Pony Express, Tower, Caterpillar and Kiddie Ride.
The cheapest rides are the ones for smaller children which include Ferris Wheel, Pirate Ride and Swinger.
There are also over a dozen video/simulation games and prize/redemption machines for QR5 per game at the Fun Park’s Video Games Corner. Terminator Salvation, The Fast and the Furious, Street Basketball, Spider Box and I-Target are some of the more famous games.
Yesterday, the tropical-forest themed food court was filled with people having a taste of the wide array of delectable food offered at the 15 stalls offering fast food and pastries as well as Asian and Gulf specialities.
Some of the food establishments present at the food hall are Sterling, Asian Traditional Restaurant, Tandoor Express, Southern Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, Bombay Chowpatty, and Cinnabon.
A lot of customers who want to beat the hot temperatures were seen thronging the Cinnzeo Gelato which offers a variety of ice creams. Food prices are affordable with regular meal priced at QR18 while large meal costing QR25.
There are also food items coming for QR5 and QR10. Many children thronged to see the performances and activities including plays, clown performances and games staged by a Lebanese entertainment company. The events were enjoyed by the children for their interactive nature requiring participation from the young audience.
Running until September 14, the park is open from Saturday to Wednesday (3pm to 12 midnight) and Thursday and Friday (3pm to 1am). During Ramadan, it will open from 8pm to 2am and during Eid holidays from 12pm to 12am. Entry to the park is free.
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