The tiny, oil and gas-rich nation of Qatar is now officially the richest country on Earth having recently overtaken Luxembourg for the world’s highest per capita Gross Domestic Product. A highlight of any trip to Doha is a visit to its Souq Waqif. The historic heart of Doha, this labyrinth of souls sell everything from spices to rugs, gold and falcons. A rite of passage for Qatari men, nearly 80 per cent of the male population will own a falcon and they don’t come cheap. A healthy bird can cost from $5,000 to a whopping $250,000! But that’s small change when 14 per cent of the local population are millionaires.

Travelling info

All visitors travelling to Qatar are required to have a valid passport. Nationals of 80 countries enjoy the visa-waiver programme which allows tourists to stay in Qatar for periods varying from 30 to 90 days without a visa. Citizens of these countries will not need to apply or pay for a visa. instead, a multi-entry waiver will be issued at the airport, upon presentation of a valid passport which must be valid for a minimum of six months and a confirmed onward or return ticket. Qatar signed one United Nations convention and it is a legal requirement for visitors to have a valid International Driving Permit in order to rent a car and legally drive in Qatar. All visitors who plan to drive must make sure they obtain an IDP in their home country or country of residence before they travel. Beware that the IDP does not substitute for the original document and only is a translation of such. For those who want to drive a private vehicle, the car must be either shipped or airlifted into Qatar as the only hard border with Saudi Arabia is closed.

Travelling hazards

Qatar has an excellent road system however fatal traffic accidents are the leading cause of death in the country. Informal rules of the road and the combination of local and third-country-national driving customs often prove frustrating for first-time drivers in Qatar. The combination of Qatar’s extensive use of roundabouts, many road construction projects and the high speeds at which drivers may travel can prove challenging. The rate of automobile accidents due to driver error and excessive speed is declining but remains high compared to European rates. Despite the aggressive driving on Qatar’s roads, drivers should avoid altercations or arguments over traffic incidents, particularly with Qatari citizens who, if insulted, have filed complaints with local police that resulted in the arrest and overnight detention of tourists.

Environmental hazards

Qatar is quite small and urbanized. The land left untouched by humans is mostly hot desert which is uninhabitable for any larger animals. There are no large predators roaming Qatar. There are however several dangerous snake species. Most dangerous of these include kraits and sea snakes. Qatar is also home to one of the most dangerous scorpions on earth. The fat-tailed scorpion which is a native to that region. A sting from these lethal scorpions can cause a number of terrible symptoms, including seizures, unconsciousness, and hypertension. Swimming in Qatar is generally safe. There are no recorded shark attacks in Qatar however there are many records in the Persian Gulf, therefore, such incidents cannot be ruled out. Other dangers include venomous fish such as the lionfish or stonefish. These creatures do not attack and only sting defensively when touched or stepped on.
Although Qatar sporadically experiences any natural disasters, most dangerous and common of such involve floods and earthquakes.

Health hazards

Qatar is free of any disease outbreaks and there are no vaccination requirements in order to visit the country. There are however several vaccines which are recommended in order to ensure safety from any potential diseases. These vaccinations are the routine vaccines aka MMR vaccines, hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies vaccines. Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is the government-run, non-profit healthcare provider in Qatar, it runs five hospitals and 24 primary health care centres or community clinics. Healthcare Services is available to citizens and residents of Qatar at a heavily subsidised rate at HMC clinics and hospitals. Tourists, however, are required to pay for some of the services they receive therefore purchasing medical insurance for the duration of travel is highly recommended.

Crime

According to the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017, Qatar ranks as the tenth safest country in the world. The Qatar MDPS states that Qatar has the seventh lowest crime rate in the world, according to the 2017 Global Crime Index. The government monitors crime trends carefully and expends great effort to keep pace via improved security and law enforcement capabilities in an effort to identify, deter, and neutralize emerging crime trends or threats. At the same time, anecdotal evidence suggests that expatriates often do not report crimes for fear of deportation and to avoid legal proceedings. Expatriates and particularly unaccompanied women should exercise heightened situational awareness and vigilance whenever in a public place and when using public transportation, including taxis. Travellers, especially females, perceived to be part of the “blue collar” migrant workforce might face discrimination and harassment, often from other foreign residents. Tourists should also beware that homosexuality is illegal. Although Qatar does not punish drug law offenders with death penalties, sentences are still harsh and involve lengthy prison sentences.

Summary

Although the current diplomatic situation of Qatar and its extremely harsh summer might deter some tourists, Qatar has done everything to attract more. The recent relaxation of visa laws allowed more tourists to visit the country and explore its wonders. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.qatarairways.com/en/visa-free-arrival.html#
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/qatar