Singapore: Visit Qatar is bringing Qatari culture, cuisine and craftsmanship to Singapore through The Garden Souq by Visit Qatar, an open-air cultural experience hosted at Raffles Hotel Singapore during race week. The activation is scheduled for 7–9 October, inviting Singapore residents and international visitors to discover Qatar’s traditions through interactive activities, local flavours and creative workshops.

Set on the hotel’s lawn, The Garden Souq presents a contemporary interpretation of the traditional souq, bringing together cultural experiences inspired by Qatar’s heritage. Visitors can enjoy traditional Arabic coffee and dates, experience live oud music, explore local cuisine and participate in activities that highlight the country’s craftsmanship and distinctive identity.

The initiative forms part of Visit Qatar’s partnership with Audi Revolut F1® Team, using the international reach of major sporting events to introduce new audiences to Qatar as a tourism destination.

Visit Qatar Brings Qatari Culture to Singapore

The Garden Souq by Visit Qatar is designed to offer visitors an introduction to the country’s cultural traditions in an accessible, interactive setting. Rather than presenting Qatar solely through information displays, the activation invites guests to participate in experiences inspired by its hospitality, cuisine, artistry and contemporary creative culture.

The traditional souq has long been associated with trading, craftsmanship and social interaction across the region. The Garden Souq draws on this concept while adapting it to an open-air environment at one of Singapore’s recognised hospitality destinations.

Through a series of dedicated stations, guests can explore different aspects of Qatari culture at their own pace. From the welcoming ritual of Arabic coffee and dates to hands-on personalisation activities, the experience brings together elements of tradition and contemporary lifestyle.

The setting at Raffles Hotel Singapore also places the activation within a hospitality environment suited to international visitors and local audiences. Its open-air format allows guests to move between the different stations while discovering the experiences available throughout the event.

By bringing these elements together, Visit Qatar aims to give visitors a more personal introduction to the country’s cultural identity.

The Majlis: Traditional Arabic Hospitality

At The Majlis, visitors can experience one of the most recognisable expressions of regional hospitality: traditional Arabic coffee served with dates.

The majlis is an important social space in Qatari culture, associated with welcoming guests, conversation and community. Coffee and dates are closely connected with these traditions, making them a natural starting point for an experience centred on hospitality.

The Garden Souq brings this welcoming atmosphere to Singapore through a dedicated station where guests can enjoy Arabic coffee and dates accompanied by a live oud performance.

The oud, a traditional stringed instrument widely associated with Middle Eastern music, adds a cultural dimension to the setting. Its live performance complements the hospitality experience, creating an opportunity for visitors to engage with Qatari and regional traditions through both taste and sound.

For visitors unfamiliar with these customs, The Majlis offers an introduction to the social traditions that shape hospitality in Qatar. For those already familiar with the region, it provides a recognisable cultural touchpoint within the wider activation.

Flavours of Qatar Showcase Local Cuisine

Food is another central element of The Garden Souq. Through Flavours of Qatar, visitors can discover local cuisine and explore the role of food in the country’s cultural identity.

Cuisine offers a direct way to experience a destination’s traditions, ingredients and hospitality. In Qatar, food is closely connected with gatherings and the sharing of meals, making culinary experiences an important part of introducing visitors to the country.

The Flavours of Qatar station brings this aspect of the destination to Singapore, allowing guests to engage with Qatari cuisine as part of the wider cultural programme.

The food-focused experience complements the other stations by connecting visitors with another dimension of local life. Alongside traditional hospitality and creative activities, it helps present Qatar through a combination of sensory experiences rather than a single cultural theme.

For Visit Qatar, showcasing local cuisine also supports its broader objective of encouraging international audiences to explore the destination beyond its major attractions.

Interactive Workshops Celebrate Craftsmanship and Creativity

The Garden Souq also features activities that allow visitors to create personalised items inspired by Qatar.

At The Artisan’s Workshop, guests can personalise a leather charm, offering a hands-on introduction to craftsmanship. The activity gives participants an opportunity to engage with a creative process and leave with an item customised through their own choices.

The Doha Stamp offers another personalisation experience, inviting visitors to customise a cap using Qatar-inspired patches. The activity connects contemporary accessories with visual references to the destination, making it possible for guests to create something reflecting their experience at the activation.

Meanwhile, Scents of Qatar invites visitors to create a bespoke perfume blend. Fragrance can be closely associated with cultural traditions and personal memories, making the activity another way to explore the sensory dimensions of a destination.

Together, these stations offer different ways to participate, whether through leather personalisation, fashion accessories or fragrance creation.

The emphasis on interaction helps make the experience more engaging for visitors who want to take part rather than simply observe. It also brings craftsmanship and creative expression into the wider presentation of Qatar’s cultural identity.

Visit Qatar’s Partnership with Audi Revolut F1® Team

The Garden Souq forms part of Visit Qatar’s partnership with Audi Revolut F1® Team. The collaboration provides a platform for introducing Qatar to international audiences during a period when Singapore attracts visitors connected with race-week activities.

Major sporting events can create opportunities for destinations to connect with travellers who may be interested in discovering more about a country beyond the event itself. Cultural activations allow tourism organisations to use this international attention to introduce local traditions, cuisine and experiences to new audiences.

Through The Garden Souq, Visit Qatar combines this wider sporting association with a cultural programme designed around hospitality and participation.

The initiative reflects the organisation’s approach to building Qatar’s global tourism profile through international partnerships. By presenting cultural experiences in Singapore, Visit Qatar can engage visitors in a different setting while encouraging interest in the destination itself.

The activation also demonstrates how tourism promotion can extend beyond traditional advertising. Interactive experiences offer visitors an opportunity to encounter aspects of a destination’s identity directly, potentially creating a stronger connection with its culture.

Event Details: The Garden Souq by Visit Qatar

The Garden Souq by Visit Qatar is scheduled to take place at Raffles Hotel Singapore during race week.

• Event: The Garden Souq by Visit Qatar
• Dates: 7–9 October
• Venue: Raffles Hotel Singapore, on the hotel’s lawn
• Opening hours: Daily from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
• Admission: Free
• Registration: Required in advance

Visitors can register through the official event registration page: The Garden Souq by Visit Qatar.

Although admission is free, prior registration is required. Visitors should consult the registration page for the latest information about access and participation.

Bringing Qatar’s Cultural Identity to a Global Audience

The Garden Souq by Visit Qatar brings together hospitality, food, music, craftsmanship and fragrance in an open-air experience designed for Singapore’s international audience during race week.

From Arabic coffee and dates at The Majlis to local cuisine, personalised accessories and bespoke perfumes, the activation offers several ways for visitors to discover aspects of Qatar’s cultural identity.

Through its partnership with Audi Revolut F1® Team, Visit Qatar is using the international visibility surrounding major sporting events to introduce the destination to new audiences. The Garden Souq reflects this approach by creating a participatory cultural experience that connects visitors with Qatar beyond conventional tourism promotion.

By combining traditional references with contemporary activities, the initiative presents Qatar’s heritage in a format designed for a diverse audience, bringing the country’s hospitality and creative traditions to Singapore.