RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(01)/INF/16
31 October 2001
(01-5356)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fourth Session
Doha, 9 - 13 November 2001Original:  English
WTO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Accompanying Persons Programme
Please find attached the WTO tours programme for accompanying persons which has been
received from the Organizing Committee in Doha.WT/MIN(01)/INF/16
Page 2
WTO TOURS PROGRAMME
(09.11.2001-13.11.2001)
Tour Hotel Pick-up time Rate per
personRemarks
Ritz Carlton 08H15
Intercontinental 08H25
Sheraton Doha 08H35
Marriott Hotel 08H50
Ramada 09H05Doha City Tour
Sofitel 09H20QR. 85Tours will be
operated daily in themorning except
Friday (09.11.2001)
Duration:  4 hours
Ritz Carlton 14H00
Intercontinental 14H10
Sheraton Doha 14H20
Marriott Hotel 14H35
Ramada 14H50Camel Track &
Equestrian Club
Sofitel 15H00QR. 85Tours will be
operated daily in the
afternoon exceptFriday (09.11.2001)
Duration:  4 hours
Ritz Carlton
Intercontinental
Sheraton Doha
Marriott Hotel
RamadaDesert Safari
(Inland Sea)
Sofitel13H30 QR. 400Daily
Duration:  6-7 hours
Ritz Carlton
Intercontinental
Sheraton Doha
Marriott Hotel
RamadaDunes Discovery
Tour
Sofitel08h45 QR. 200Daily
Duration:  4 hours
Ritz Carlton 08H15
Intercontinental 08H25
Sheraton Doha 08H35
Marriott Hotel 08H50
Ramada 09H05Shopping Tour
Sofitel 09H20QR. 75Tours will be
operated daily in the
morning except
Friday (09.11.2001)
Duration:  3 hours
Ritz Carlton 15h00
Intercontinental 15H10
Sheraton Doha 15H20
Marriott Hotel 15H35
Ramada 15H50Evening DhowCruise
Sofitel 16H00QR. 160Can be operated for
minimum 8 persons
any time and upon
requestDuration:  2-3 hoursWT/MIN(01)/INF/16
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DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TOURS
Doha City Tour
Your visit to Qatar will undoubtedly begin in Doha, the capital city and home to 80 per cent
of the country's population, most of its commerce and the heart and pulse of its culture.  Our guided
city tour, in an air-conditioned bus, takes you thr ough the downtown streets, some evocative of days
gone by, others reflecting the dramatic and stunning modernization of this fast-growing city.
Beginning at the Qatar National Museum, you will enjoy a fascinating glimpse into the history and
marine life of this unique country.
Strolling along the sea-front Corniche you will be struck by the expanding and rising urban
skyline on the one side, whilst on the other traditiona l dhows, still used for fishing, trade and leisure,
line the quays.
Later, there will be a chance to view a private collection of the region's oldest weapons -
swords, daggers, pistols and cannons - in the Weaponry Museum.
No tour of the city would be complete without a visit to the traditional vegetable and fish
markets, the falconry shops and the colourful souqs.  Here, the exotic smell of coffee beans, spices,
ancient herbal remedies and exotic perfumes fills the air.  Handicrafts, fabrics and shops filled with
glittering gold line your path, making this an unforgettable shopping experience.
And to round off the day, you will be able to relax and have lunch in traditional Arabic
restaurants enjoying the local dishes prepared with the exotic and aromatic spices, for which Arabic
cuisine is famous.
Shopping Tour
This is the tour that any serious shopper must not miss!  With special offers available to
tourists and visitors, we will introduce them to the town's best shopping venues so that they can return
later and browse at leisure if they wish.  Our first stop is at an antique and carpet shop housing a huge
range of artifacts as well as an impressive range of oriental carpets at very reasonable prices.  Then we
move on to one of the Middle East's largest shopping malls, the City Centre, where there is a veryhigh standard of international products such as perfumes, cosmetics, clothes, watches, bags etc.  Later,
we move to the Gold Souq (market) where an exotic display of jewellery in both Arabic and western
styles is on offer at very attractive prices.  Finally, by contrast, we end our programme at the lively
Old Souq where there is a colourful array of traditio nal Qatari clothing, shoes, perfumes and spices.
Dunes Discovery Tour
A comfortable 4-wheel drive vehicle will take you from Doha, south along the coastal route
to the Sealine Beach Resort, where your vehicle will be prepared for the exciting journey ahead.  Air
will be released from the tyres to enable them to drive smoothly over the soft sand of the magnificent
dunes that lie ahead.
This tour is an ideal photo opportunity, allowing you to capture the stunning panoramic views
of spectacular sand dunes and the Inland Sea, whilst enjoying the excitement of a roller-coaster ride.
Truly a chance to enjoy the unspoilt nature of the desert and experience the unique scenery.
Camel Track and Equestrian Club
Those who long to take a look at the ubiquitous camel in its natural surroundings will not
have far to look at Shahaniya, a desert area some 25km from Qatar's capital city Doha.  Here,WT/MIN(01)/INF/16
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alongside the purpose-built camel race track, hundreds of camels, their trainers and riders, live and
work all year round, giving the tourist an opportunity for a unique insight into this traditional Arabic
sport.  Experts are on hand to explain all aspects of camel training and racing.
Whilst the camel is perhaps the best-known inhabitant of the desert, there is another animal
which commands equal respect amongst the Arab people - the horse!  A short journey from Shahaniya
is the Equestrian Club, where visitors will be welcome to view some of the country's finest horses.
Desert Safari
This afternoon and evening tour in a comfortable 4-wheel drive vehicle, takes you some 75km
across the southern Qatari desert, with over half of this distance off-road.  Our highly experienceddrivers will take you on an exciting and unforgettable roller-coaster ride over the magnificent sand
dunes - some as high as 50 metres!  You will venture as far as the famous Inland Sea - an area
renowned for its outstanding beauty, where you can relax, Bedouin-style, complete with tent, carpets
and cushions and our famous Arabic hospitality.  Take a swim in the tranquil Gulf waters or scramble
up the sand dunes on foot.  Experience the quiet of the desert, far from the rush and noise of city life,with no sound but the breeze and the shifting sand.  Or, for the more adventurous, try sand boarding
or sand skiing - a cinch for those experienced on s now, and a soft landing for those who are trying it
for the first time!  As evening approaches, enjoy a traditional barbecue dinner around the campfire
and witness the spectacular sunset as the beat of the drums and the rhythmic music of the region echo
into the night.  Return to your hotel by late evening.
Evening Dhow Cruise
This harbour cruise in a stately Arabic dhow ha s the brightly lit Doha skyline as a backdrop.
The twinkling lights of the sea-front Corniche hang like a string of pearls, reminding us of what thesedhows were originally used for when pearl diving was a thriving industry.
On the dhow, live music drifts into the night sky as you cruise across tranquil waters towards
Al Safliya Island.  Here, you can take a moonlit swim in the warmest of oceans.  Back on board, relax
and enjoy the taste of our local-style prepared snacks, before cruising back to land at a leisurely pace.
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