Qatar has launched the second edition of Purple Saturday, an initiative designed to strengthen the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities across the country’s retail, hospitality and tourism sectors.
The campaign is organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Family and Qatar Tourism, represented by Visit Qatar.
What is Purple Saturday?
Purple Saturday is an annual initiative observed on the last Saturday of July to raise awareness of accessibility and encourage businesses to provide more inclusive services.
Qatar joined the wider GCC campaign through the first local edition in 2025. The regional movement originated in Saudi Arabia in 2021 and has since developed into a platform promoting accessibility, participation and greater independence for persons with disabilities.
Rather than focusing only on awareness, the campaign encourages businesses to introduce practical measures that improve the customer experience.
What participating businesses will offer
Commercial establishments taking part in Purple Saturday may provide benefits such as:
- Special discounts and promotions
- Priority customer service
- More accessible entrances and facilities
- Adapted shopping and hospitality experiences
- Services designed around individual accessibility needs
Participating locations may include shopping malls, retail stores, restaurants, hotels, attractions and other tourism venues. Specific offers and conditions may differ between establishments.
How persons with disabilities can benefit
Persons with disabilities can access available privileges at participating venues by presenting valid identification issued by the relevant authority or the Purple Saturday digital card.
The initiative aims to make services and products easier to access while enabling customers to shop, travel and participate in community activities with greater independence.
Residents and visitors should check official Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Visit Qatar channels for confirmed participating establishments and current offers.
Businesses invited to participate
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has called on commercial establishments across Qatar to register for the campaign.
A dedicated digital platform allows businesses to select the services and promotional offers they wish to provide and confirm their participation through an online registration process.
The ministry said broad private-sector involvement is important to creating a more inclusive marketplace that supports all members of society.
More than a one-day initiative
Although Purple Saturday is marked annually on the final Saturday of July, its broader objective is to encourage businesses to adopt inclusive practices throughout the year.
This includes simplifying shopping environments, applying universal-design principles and recognising persons with disabilities as active consumers and community members.
The campaign also encourages businesses to assess whether their services, physical spaces and customer journeys are genuinely accessible rather than treating inclusion as a temporary promotional activity.
Supporting Qatar’s social-development goals
Purple Saturday reflects Qatar’s wider efforts to promote accessibility, equal participation and social inclusion.
Through cooperation between government entities, tourism stakeholders and the private sector, the initiative combines public awareness with tangible benefits for persons with disabilities.
The second edition also gives retail, hospitality and tourism businesses an opportunity to introduce practical improvements that can create a more welcoming experience for residents and visitors across Qatar.
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