DOHA, Qatar (CelebrityAccess) — Ticketmaster has opened an office in the tiny Arabian country of Qatar. This marks the second such expansion in the region for Ticketmaster after the company opened an office in nearby Dubai in 2013.
Ticketmaster Qatar is led by Ulas Karaoglu and is located at Office 742, 7th Floor, The Gate Mall Bay 2 Tower, West Bay, Doha. Ticketmaster can be contacted at +974 779 33 444.
"As Ticketmaster continues to deliver innovative products and services, more venues in more countries are choosing Ticketmaster solutions. We have had good success in this region in a short period of time, and we are looking forward to expanding our business into Qatar's rapidly growing market where there is an ever-increasing demand for live events," said Michael Rapino, president and chief executive officer, Live Nation Entertainment.
Qatar, with a population of 2 million, has a rapidly growing economy and the highest per capita income, thanks largely to its sitting atop of the world's third largest gas reserves. As well, Qatar is lined up to host the 022 FIFA World Cup and has planned nine new football stadiums for the tournament.
However, Qatar is also an absolute monarchy, ruled by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who became Emir in 2013 after his father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani abdicated the throne. Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani initially seized power in 1995 during a bloodless coup de etat.
Qatar has also drawn criticism from international human rights organizations for its criminal code. Based on Sharia Law, the code allows for flogging and even stoning for some offenses, including the consumption of alcohol, or illicit sexual liasons. Other offenses, such as Apostasy are considered to be a capital offense. In 2012, Amnesty international reported that at least six foreign nationals were sentenced to floggings of either 40 or 100 lashes. – Staff Writers
