To mark International Shark Day on 30 August, Qatar Tourism has captured striking drone imagery of one of the world’s largest migrations of the endangered whale shark off the northeast coast of Qatar.
Every year the whale sharks congregate in Qatari waters to
fine-dine on tuna eggs, essentially caviar, enjoying the cooler waters off the
Arabian Gulf.
International Whale Shark Day was established to raise
awareness about the importance of whale sharks to marine ecosystems. Every year
the day is celebrated on August 30.
The main purpose of creating this day is to encourage
efforts to conserve this species. This is the largest shark species on the
planet. Whale sharks can reach up to 12 m or 40 ft in length and about 21.5
tonnes in weight.
Qatar Tourism is the official government body responsible
for the development and promotion of tourism in Qatar, facilitating the
sector’s exponential growth. Qatar is a destination where people of the world
come together to experience unique offerings in arts, culture, sports, and
adventure, catering to family and business visitors, rooted in Service
Excellence.
Qatar Tourism seeks to boost the entire tourism value chain,
grow local and international visitor demand, attract inward investment, and
drive a multiplier effect across the domestic economy.
The Qatar Tourism Strategy 2030 sets an ambitious target to attract over six million international visitors a year by 2030, making Qatar the fastest growing destination in the Middle East.