Qatar Tourism Marked 2nd Edition of Purple Saturday Initiative

Doha, July 26 (QNA) - Qatar Tourism, through Visit Qatar, marked the second edition of Purple Saturday 2026. The national initiative promotes the inclusion and empowerment of people with disabilities while encouraging participating venues to provide more accessible and inclusive experiences.

Director of Festivals and Events at Visit Qatar, Ahmed Al-Binali said: "For the second consecutive year, Qatar Tourism, through its promotional arm Visit Qatar, is proud to support Purple Saturday as part of our commitment to making Qatar a more inclusive and accessible destination. Through our collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Family, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and our tourism partners, we continue to enhance accessible experiences across the tourism sector. The Qatar Toy Festival remains a key part of these efforts, offering complimentary access and an inclusive experience for people with disabilities. The strong turnout at last year's celebration reflects the growing momentum behind the initiative and the important role our community plays in advancing accessibility and inclusion."

First launched by the Authority for the Care of People with Disabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2021, Purple Saturday is observed annually on the last Saturday of July. Since then, the initiative has expanded across the GCC, reflecting a shared regional commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and equal participation.

In Qatar, Purple Saturday brought together stakeholders from the public and private sectors to champion accessibility, raise awareness, and encourage greater community engagement. As part of this year's edition, Qatar Calendar hosted a dedicated Purple Saturday celebration at the Qatar Toy Festival, with people with disabilities receiving complimentary access. In recognition of the occasion, a number of prominent buildings and landmarks across Qatar were illuminated in purple, demonstrating the country's collective support for inclusion and accessibility.

Supporting the initiative, Qatar Tourism stakeholders, including hotels and retail outlets, offered exclusive discounts and enhanced accessibility services and experiences throughout Purple Saturday.

Purple Saturday reflects Qatar's ongoing commitment to building a suitable environment that enables people with disabilities to access services and experiences independently, promoting inclusion and social responsibility. (QNA)