Qatar, Asia travel resource.

Qatar,Asia.

This tiny oil-rich sheikdom on the Persian Gulf is opening up...a bit. The government has been encouraging foreign investment and Qatari women enjoy much more freedom than their counterparts in other Gulf states. Al Jazeera, the Arab world's version of CNN, broadcasts without censorship from its headquarters in Doha.
Nevertheless, Qatar (pronounced KAH-tar) is a long way from becoming an appealing tourist destination. The country still regards the cultural influence of outsiders as a nuisance and a possible danger. Qataris adhere closely to the tenets of Islam: Women are seldom seen without a veil, and the country's justice system is based on a strict, literal reading of the Koran.
While visa requirements aren't as restrictive as they used to be, travelers still need an invitation from one of the major (and pricey) hotels. If that disappoints you, know that you'll find bigger and better beaches and desert elsewhere in the region-in the United Arab Emirates, for example.