Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar Tourism (QT) has revealed Maya Maasri Shaybane as the winner of its "Iconic Limousine Design Concept” competition, in partnership with Mowasalat (Karwa).
With 450 submissions, the contest captured the attention of the nation by involving them in creating the design for the fleet of iconic limousines, inspired by Qatar’s cultural heritage and touristic experiences.
The jury voted Maya Maasri Shaybane as the winner, with her design to be displayed on the new fleet of limousines and will be awarded QR100,000 for her efforts. With over 6,500 votes, Chamseddine Chakroun’s received the biggest number of public votes and will be rewarded with QR50,000. In addition, the 20 shortlisted participants will each receive a cash prize of QR1,500 for their contribution.
Qatar-based artists followed the three distinctive themes for the Iconic Limousines’ design: Qatar’s culture and heritage, its progressive future, and its sustainability and eco-friendly vision. The qualifying designs were initially shortlisted by a panel at QT, followed by a public vote, and lastly, an evaluation by a jury of expert Qatari personalities, which selected the winning design. The design was unveiled at M7 in Msheireb in the notable presence of representatives from leading national organisations.
The jury consisted of Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, Chairman; Secretary General, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, His Excellency Hassan Al Thawadi; Chief Executive Officer of Mowasalat (Karwa), Fahad Saad Al Qahtani; Dean of Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCU-Q), Amir Berbić; and Director of Liwan Design Studios and Labs at Qatar Museums, Aisha Nasser Al Sowaidi.
Marking the occasion, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar Al Baker, said: "We are honoured to showcase the winning design of our nation-wide creative contest which drove community engagement and celebrated Qatar’s cultural identity and sustainable future. Through such initiatives we witness the diverse ways in which our nation perceives our rich culture while creating an opportunity to share these authentic representations with our visitors and enrich their experience at every touchpoint during their stay in Qatar. I would like to congratulate all the winners for their efforts and give thanks to everyone who keenly participated.”
Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy Secretary General, HE Hassan Al Thawadi, said: "It was a pleasure to take part in the jury and see the quality of work on display. We have some incredibly talented designers in our community and competitions like this shine a light on their skills. I would like to thank the organisers for inviting me to participate in this event and wish all the participants the very best of luck with their future endeavours.”
Chief Executive Officer of Mowasalat (Karwa), Fahad Saad Al Qahtani, said: "I feel privileged to be part of a project that taps into the creative wealth of the country and shines a light on a greener future of transportation. We have seen amazing designs with powerful messages, based on the love for our country and the responsibility for its future. Their number and variety made it difficult to pick just one, and it was an honour to be part of the jury for the final decision. I would like to thank our teams for the great cooperation to make this happen. We will continue to push for innovative ways to connect and engage with our customers and look forward to many more green enterprises with Qatar Tourism.”
Dean of Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCU-Q), Amir Berbić, said: "It has been my pleasure to participate in the jury panel for the Iconic Limousine Design Competition, particularly as it is a celebration of the role that design plays in the expression of Qatar’s culture and heritage. The community engagement component of this initiative was particularly compelling. I wish the organisers well in the next stage of the competition, when the winning design will be unveiled.”
As part of QT’s Service Excellence Programme, the branded fleet of limousines will be available for booking through the Karwa mobile application and customer service centre. The limousines will offer a unique, and best-in-class service to visitors, showcasing Qatar’s renowned and authentic hospitality.
The Iconic Limousine initiative adds another unique dimension to Qatar’s growing tourism offerings and is part of QT’s Service Excellence programme. QT invited creatives across the nation to submit their representation of the country’s cultural identity to be showcased for its visitors through the Iconic Limousines, which are fully electric luxury vehicles for conscious and cultivated travellers. QT works closely with stakeholders across the public and private sectors to develop products and services that enhance the visitor experience.