Qatar Airways and Visit Qatar Mega Famil hosted 80 travel professionals from around Australia on a three-day trip, highlighting some of the activities and hotels on the Qatar Stopover Experience. Karryon reports from on the ground in Doha.
When they say “go big or go home”, Qatar Airways and Visit Qatar decided to do both, hosting its largest-ever famil and inviting a diverse group of Australian leisure and corporate travel advisors, buyers, media and partners to experience the Qatar Stopover firsthand.
It’s timely with Australia now the largest international source market for the Qatar Stopover as Aussies embraced the experience en masse in January 2025.
Qatar Airways and Visit Qatar Mega Famil
The packed Qatar Airways and Visit Qatar Mega Famil itinerary showcased the sheer breadth of experiences available in Qatar, surprising both first-time visitors, including some who had never been to the Middle East, and frequent travellers alike.
The group of 80 travel professionals departed Australia from different ports with fam participants experiencing either the award-winning Qsuite or economy-class service.
Arriving at the ultra-modern Hamad International Airport in Doha, a destination in its own right, the group was whisked away on luxury transfers to two of the Stopover Programme’s 5-star hotels – Park Hyatt Doha and InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa.
The entire group later convened at the architectural marvel that is the National Museum of Qatar for an alfresco 10-course degustation lunch at Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse’s Jiwan restaurant with views over the sparkling cityscape and water.
Guided tours of the futuristic museum showcase Qatar’s dizzying aspirational ascent from a small fishing and pearling village in the Arabian Gulf to today’s visionary destination, straddling vibrant tradition and contemporary vision.
It’s a theme woven throughout the carefully curated trip in a city where eye-popping architectural wonders light up the skyline and reflect desert and cultural references.
Qatar Airways and Visit Qatar Mega Famil participants discovered how Qatar holds onto its past and looks to the future, highlighting authentic cultural experiences and urbane conveniences for the ideal family-friendly or business travel stopover.
An early morning dune-bashing expedition on a 22-car-strong 4WD convoy was one of the famil standouts, yielding a desert sunrise, a dip in the Inland Sea and brunch at The Outpost Al Barari resort in Mesaieed, around an hour’s drive from Downtown Doha.
A desert oasis, The Outpost shared Qatari traditions in stylish natural surrounds with luxury safari tents, long-lashed camels, intricate henna designs and aromatic karak tea.
Just when we were ready to move into the exquisite two-bedroom family villa with a private pool, off-road dune buggies beckoned, allowing the Qatar Airways and Visit Qatar Mega Famil group to tackle the desert terrain for another adrenaline-pumping activity.
Packing in even more to an already stacked day, we swapped the desert dunes for the Gulf shore sands at Doha Beach Club.
This sprawling beach club is a family-friendly gem and the only Doha beachside bar and restaurant that serves alcohol. The Qatar Airways-owned hotspot in West Bay offers watersports, beachside bliss and chilled-out vibes – a must for any Doha stopover.
The pristine and perfumed Souq Waqif was another popular drawcard for famil participants with many opting to spend their ample free time there, whether shopping, eating or simply soaking up the ambience.
Within easy walking distance of the Park Hyatt Doha, this labyrinthine maze of artisans, shops and restaurants is spotlessly clean, easy to navigate and full of wonder to stumble upon from souvenirs to shawarma, kunufa (an Arabian dessert) to football kits.
A cultural city tour filled in some of the missing blanks we’d seen on our Doha travels, adding the names of landmarks and high-rises to our local knowledge.
The sheer diversity of Doha is on display in its distinct areas, such as the pastel-hued buildings in the Mina District, traditional wooden boats in Dhow Harbour, The Pearl’s luxe vision and the jaw-dropping backdrops at Katara Cultural Village.
Qatar Stopover takeaways
CT Partners CEO Matt Masson has travelled to Doha twice before on brief visits, but the Mega Famil provided a different perspective.
“It was an eye-opener to see both Doha and Qatar through the lens of a tourist. From the minute you arrive at Hamad International Airport, you sense that Doha is a modern city on the move,” he said.
“There is still a wonderful sense of tradition in Qatar and compared with some of the neighbouring countries in the Middle East, there is an understated elegance in the architecture, a proud sense of culture and a genuine hospitality and warmth from the Qatari people.”
Corporate Traveller Partnership Marketing Executive Mitch Sciacca agreed: “The trip standout was the hospitality we received, not just from the Qatar Airways team but also the team at our hotel, Park Hyatt Doha, and the locals. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming.”
While he had never been to Doha or the Middle East before the Qatar Airways and Visit Qatar Mega Famil, he can’t wait to go back.
“Doha is an amazing city. It has stolen my heart. The vibes, the scenery, the connection to their traditional culture while also innovating as a global city are astonishing,” he said.
“Outside of the strong traditions, there is so much to do! There are beautiful beaches, delicious restaurants, insightful museums, the Souq Waqif markets and, best of all, heaps of thrill-seeking adventures in the desert.”
Mobilise Travel Logistics Officer Subhan Isa also enjoyed the adrenaline-pumping activities and said he looks forward to returning to Qatar with his family.
“I have never travelled to the Middle East, so I had no expectations and headed into this with an open mind. I love exploring new cities and this trip was no exception,” he said.
“There is so much to see and do and whether you’re stopping over for a few hours or a few nights, you can experience so much of what Qatar has to offer.
“I’d consider spending multiple nights whether you’re travelling solo, as a family or a group. Our three days were jam-packed with activities, but I could easily see myself spending a lot more time there.”
Flight Centre Chermside Team Leader Lisa Evans recently experienced a Qatar Stopover after a trip to Egypt and was excited to gain more knowledge to pass on to her clients and team.
“Doha has something to offer everyone, from adventure activities to high-end shopping, beach clubs, food, art and cultural experiences. It’s also fast becoming one of the sporting capitals of the world,” she said.
“I can use my firsthand experience to offer personalised Qatar Stopover packages to my clients, whether they are after an action-filled adventure or a flop-and-drop holiday after a hectic European trip.”
Read our review of the Qsuite experience from Brisbane to Doha here.
Find out more at visitqatar.com
