QATAR. Blue Salon, Qatar’s luxury department store and UAE-based Paris Gallery are launching Qatar’s first Paris Gallery outlets, to coincide with a major tourism promotion.
The joint venture partnership between the two regional luxury companies was announced late last year with the intention of opening two Paris Gallery perfumery and gift stores in Doha.
Blue Salon general manager Ashraf Abu Issa said the target opening months are now July and September.
“The inauguration of the first Paris Gallery will take place at the end of July at the Hyatt Plaza Mall with a major opening ceremony planned for the occasion. This will be followed in September with the opening of the second one at Royal Plaza Mall,” said Ashraf Abu Issa.
The stores will stock exclusive perfumery products, for which the Paris Gallery chain is known, plus jewellery, watches and gifts with the full customer service that the two houses are synonymous with.
The first Paris Gallery opening is timed to coincide with the initiative taken by Qatar Tourism Authority to launch its Qatar Summer Wonders Festival, from 9 July to 8 August. This is a month-long event, packed with excitement, shopping and cultural activities.
Meanwhile Qatar, the GCC country with the highest per capita income in the world, has been making strategic moves to boost its tourism industry, in line with its neighbours in the Gulf. Visa regulations have been relaxed, as the country prepares to host the Asian Games in 2006. Other massive projects are also scheduled, such as the world’s largest Islamic Museum, a National Library and the new airport being developed at a cost of US$1 billion.
