As the FIFA World Cup, to be held in Qatar in November, approaches, Qatar Tourism is shifting gears to attract tourists before, during and after the football matches are over. With an unmissable stop-over campaign, Qatar has roped in former English football captain David Beckham to promote the campaign.

Football veteran David Beckham, who commands a large fan following around the world over a decade after he retired from the sport, has been named the brand ambassador for an aggressive and too-good-to-miss stopover campaign that Qatar Tourism has launched, with an eye on the upcoming FIFA Football World Cup that is slated to begin in the Gulf sheikhdom in November.

The campaign reveals Beckham’s action-packed adventure around the country over the course of 48 hours, showing how Qatar can be a great stopover break for all visitors. From exploring the winding spice markets of Souq Waqif, soaking up local street art, cooking tacos, camping in the desert, and sightseeing around Doha by motorbike, Beckham accompanies local personalities to discover a country of countless surprises, says a press release.

Qatar’s best value stopover packages

The press statement adds that with more than 80 pc of the world’s population living within a six-hour flight from Qatar, it makes the destination an excellent place to turn a stopover into a mini break. Through this new campaign, Qatar Tourism seeks to raise awareness of the world’s best value stopover packages, which are on offer from Qatar Airways. Packages start from USD 14 per person per night for a 4-star hotel, and USD 20 per person for a five-star hotel.

The packages are available on the website of Qatar Airways, which has curated these packages in partnership with Qatari hotels. Qatar Tourism’s through-the-line campaign will see content across digital advertising, social media channels, Qatar Tourism’s website, and selected partners. The campaign video will also be hosted on Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system Oryx, adds the press release.

“It has been a pleasure to welcome David to Qatar, where he has immersed himself in the culture and experienced first-hand the warm hospitality of the people. I encourage the millions who transit through Qatar every year to follow in David’s footsteps and create their own exciting adventure and memories. We have something for everyone at incredible value, whether it’s sun sea sand, rich heritage and culture, surprising nature, or a modern and fun city break,” says Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker.

“Qatar has surprised me with a wide range of great experiences you can have in just 48 hours. The people are warm and welcoming, and it is a great place to spend a few days,” says Beckham.  “The people of Qatar are really passionate about their culture and the mix of modern and traditional creates something really special. I saw so much during my trip from spice markets to museums to enjoying a ride on my motorbike, which was one of the highlights,” he adds.

The destinations that will feature in the stopover campaign promotions include the sites visited by Beckham during his own stopover. During his tour of Qatar, Beckham went on several adventures. Chef Noor Al Mazroei, Chef at Rosado Café, took him on a tour of the spice market in Souq Waqif.

Saad Ismail Al Jassim, one of Qatar’s last legendary pearl divers, gave the ace footballer a lesson in the country’s historic primary industry of pearling, before the discovery of oil and gas, while Abdulaziz Yousef, a Qatari artist, showed him around Souq Waqif’s Art Centre.

Chef Aquiles Chaves, a visiting chef and television personality from Mexico, helped Beckham cook tacos fused with Qatari flavours, while Sheikha Reem Al Thani, Director of Exhibitions at National Museum of Qatar, accompanied him as he explored one of Qatar’s most iconic museums. Khalid & Majid, Qatari falcon trainers, greeted the former England Captain at a desert camp near Khor Al Adaid, also known as the Inland Sea and Saeed Al Sulaiti, Qatari Motorcycle Champion, rode with David around The Pearl-Qatar, a man-made island with shops, hotels and colourful residential neighbourhoods.

Finally, Hamida Issa Al Kuwari, a Qatari filmmaker, guided him through Katara Cultural Village, Qatar’s go-to destination for art, food, and culture and Khalid Al Hamadi, dhow & Qatari Marine Expert, accompanied Beckahm aboard a traditional wooden dhow boat.