Ecotourism in Qatar: Al Zubara Cultural Heritage Site

Abstract

The study aims to evaluate ecotourism and cultural heritage in Qatar with focus on Al Zubara as a case study. The study reviewed extensive literature on the current situation in Qatar, especially regarding tourism and the impact of blockage. Qatar has undergone significant sustainable developments and massive urban transformations for the last fifteen years. The study explored and described the ecotourism in Qatar by classifying the existing cultural tourism through interviews and collecting information from focus scholars in Doha. As such, this was used as a research instrument, with Al Zubara as the selected case study of ecotourism archaeological site. A proposal on how to maintain Al-Zubara an ecotourism site and attract tourists to visit it was provided accordingly. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed in this study to reach valid results associated with the research study. A questionnaire was designed and handed out to one hundred visitors to Al Zubara Site. Two interviews were conducted with two specialists in tourism and heritage in Qatar Tourism Authority and Qatar Museums. The findings of the study conclude that Al Zubara is not still accessed by many visitors. There is still a need to improve many facilities and services in the region such as the beach, water sports activities, hospitality facilities, medical services, restaurants and cafes, banking services, entertainment activities and resort.

Date of Award	2018
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Islamic Studies