Qatar Airways’ cabin crew joined Oryx Kids Club mascots, Orry, Orah and friends to surprise children attending the opening day of the 30th Doha International Book Fair (DIBF) 2020 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) on January 9.
As a Silver Sponsor of the event, Qatar Airways has also sponsored the flights of five world-famous authors, including Man Booker International winner, Jokha Alharthi from Oman; American graphic novelist, Willow Wilson; Algerian novelist Ahlam Mosteghanemi; Adham Sharkawi; and Mohammed Zarrouk, who are travelling to Qatar to participate in public lectures and book signings during the 10-day event.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Senior Vice President Marketing and Corporate Communications, Salam Al Shawa, said: “Reading is one of life’s greatest joys and we are proud to support the Doha International Book Fair this year in its work to promote a love of books. Our Oryx Kids Club toys and exercise books are designed to engage children in reading and learning, as well as having fun, and we hope that the children enjoy the gift bags we distributed at the event. I encourage all visitors and residents of Qatar to visit DIBF during the few days to be inspired by the books on display and the authors attending.”
Director of Doha International Book Fair, Jassem Al Buainain, said: “We thank Qatar Airways for its participation and support for the book fair, which is really support for reading and culture. Around 335 publishing houses will participate in the event, among them Arab and foreign publishers and others for children books. There will be 797 pavilions in addition to participation by a number of embassies.”
Organised in-line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to develop the nation’s knowledge economy, the event aims to promote reading and publishing in Qatar. More than 30 countries from around the world are participating in this year’s event, with involvement from Belgium and Australia for the first time, and a special focus on France with the Qatar-France Year of Culture taking place in 2020.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’, and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite. It is the only airline to have been awarded the coveted ‘Skytrax Airline of the Year’ title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, five times.
The world’s fastest-growing airline added several new destinations to its network in 2019, including Rabat, Morocco; Izmir, Turkey; Malta; Davao, Philippines; Lisbon, Portugal; Mogadishu, Somalia; Langkawi, Malaysia; and Gaborone, Botswana. The airline will add Santorini, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Osaka, Japan to its extensive route network in 2020.