Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) has invited residents to join in this year’s World Tourism Day (WTD) celebrations by discovering the country through the eyes of a tourist.
By way of a combination of special rates from tour operators, discounted packages from hotels, as well as a QTA-organised social media competition, Qatar residents will have the opportunity to celebrate the global event, which is being held this year under the theme Tourism for All – Promoting Universal Accessibility.
As part of the social media competition, life-size photo frames will be installed at eight landmarks around Qatar, through which participants can take a photo to upload on social media, using the hashtags #WTD2016 and #ShowcaseQatar for a chance to win prizes.
Participants can increase their chances of winning prizes, which include weekend stays at a local five-star hotel, by visiting and uploading photos of as many of the eight locations as they can. The locations will be announced on QTA’s social media accounts: @VisitQatar and @QTACorporate.
The competition will run from September 27, the day set aside in the UN calendar to celebrate World Tourism Day, until October 1. Throughout this time, special packages at discounted prices will be available at local tourist establishments, courtesy of partnering hotels and tour operators.
The packages include discounted bed and breakfast, spa treatments, and lunch buffets, in addition to special rates for desert safaris, dinner dhow cruises, fishing trips and overnight camping.
The participating tour operators are Qatar Ventures, Arabian Adventures Qatar, Gulf Adventures and Qatar International Adventures.
The participating hotels are Ramada Encore Doha, Al Sultan Beach Resort, Ezdan Hotel & Suites, Concorde Hotel Doha, Movenpick Hotel Westbay, Grand Hyatt Doha, Movenpick Doha, Amari DohaHotel, The St. Regis Doha, Intercontinental Doha The City, Mercure Grand Hotel, Adagio Premium Aparthotel, Al Liwan Suites, Best Western Plus Doha, Retaj Al Rayyan Doha, Retaj Royale Hotel, Retaj Residence Al Corniche, Oryx Rotana Doha, Saraya Corniche Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel Doha, Marriott Marquis City Centre, The Avenue – A Merweb Hotel, The Torch Doha, Grand Regal Doha, Melia Doha, Westin Doha Hotel & Spa, Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, City Centre Rotana, The Royal Riviera Hotel, W Doha, Hilton Doha, Four Seasons Hotel Doha, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl,  Corp Executive Hotel.
WTD was established by the United Nations World Tourist Organisation to celebrate tourism’s social, economic and cultural value, and to raise awareness about the various ways it enriches the lives of people across the world.
“This year’s World Tourism Day is particularly significant for us as we are gearing up to host the official UN celebrations, which will be fittingly held under the theme Sustainable Tourism – A Tool for Development,” commented Saif al-Kuwari, director of PR and Communication at QTA.
“We hope that residents – citizens and expatriates - whether they have been here for years or recently came to live in Qatar, will discover something new and share it with the world,” he added.