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DOHA: Qatar gets its first-ever zipline at Splash Water Park Katara which officially launched yesterday at Katara beach on the south-east side of the Cultural Village.
Ziplines have gained popularity as a major attraction in resorts around the world as an adventure ride in which a user goes from top to the bottom of an inclined cable while attached to a moving pulley.
A user can avail of an exhilarating ride through the 150-metre zipline from 3pm till midnight every day for the next two months, said Hatim Aboussid, Business Development and Events Manager at Alaqat, organisers of the water park.
The equipment is provided by a Philippine-based company and a team of experts from the Philippines is here for the entire duration of the park, said Aboussid.
"The zipline is the first ever in the country and guests can avail of the ride for QR100. It gives them a feeling of adventure and an opportunity for them to face the fear of heights," he said.
The ride is one of around 60 games and rides available at the temporary water park, some of which are new in Doha. Engineer Ahmad Abdulrahman Al Sayed, Deputy General Manager for Operations, Katara, opening the Splash Water Park, in the presence of other officials at Katara yesterday. Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula
"It is the first water park in Doha with inflatable water rides set in a fine environment for the entire family, especially this season. The water section is filled with new activities we are bringing for the first time in the country such as sliders, jumpers, water blobs," said Aboussid.
There are around 30 water rides and activities in addition to 30 more games and activities scattered around the 7,000sqm area. Except for the zipline, other rides and activities can be used by guests for a one-day pass for QR100.
"We also have a stage to host activities from 7pm every day such as activities for kids, competitions and live performances," he said.
"We are planning to reveal more surprises to our guests by adding attractions every week. Our aim is to give families a getaway in Doha and not far away, something they can do on regular basis," he added.
The park is open daily from 3pm until midnight from today for two months. "It will last two months but we are looking into ways to expand it and make it last a bit longer for the benefit of the public, maybe, organise it twice a year. We appreciate initiatives being taken by the government and the private sector to have lots of events, especially this season with Eid coming up and we thought of this as our contribution," he said.
The park is organised by Alaqat in partnership with Katara and Qatar Tourism Authority.
"This is the first time we offer this kind of experience on the beach through new facilities provided by a company. This is an added value to Katara and we hope everybody will enjoy the facilities," Engineer Ahmad Abdulrahman Al Sayed, Deputy General Manager for Operations at Katara told the media after launch.
Asked on safety and security at the park, he said, "They have done risk assessment to ensure safety and security of facilities which is paramount since this is a place for families we should take care of."
Al Sayed hoped the park would become a vehicle to attract more visitors to Katara, especially this Eid Al-Adha. "Katara is one of the prime locations in Qatar that attract visitors and tourists during Eid," he said, adding Katara is expected to attract between 70,000 and 100,000 visitors these Eid holidays.
© The Peninsula 2016
