Thousands of people line up on the Corniche in Doha to see the grand parade of balloons. Well-known and beloved characters such as the Minion, Angry Birds, Mario and Luigi have taken to the skies, as well as the iconic Qatari falcons, whale sharks and even a Qatar Airways liner. The festival will last three days.
Qatar Tourism Chief Operating Officer Bertolt Trenkel said: « In just 200 days, the 2022 FIFA World Cup will begin in Qatar, and our focus is on tourism and providing unique experiences for locals and foreign tourists. Qatar will represent the entire region of the Middle East in one accessible location, and we are happy to welcome travelers from all over the world.”