Qatar residents participating in a social media competition for the 2016 World Tourism Day celebration can now start taking pictures at life-size photo frames installed at eight landmarks in the country.

The Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA)-organised competition, which runs from today until October 1, requires participants to take and upload a photo on social media using the hashtags #WTD2016 and #ShowcaseQatar.

Winners will receive prizes, including a weekend stay at a local five-star hotel.

The eight landmarks where life-size photo frames have been installed are the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), East-West/West-East by American artist Richard Serra at the Brouq Nature Reserve near Zekreet, Katara – the Cultural Village, Al Zubarah Fort; Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, Souq Waqif, Imam Mohamed ibn Abd Al Wahhab (Grand) Mosque, and Aspire Zone.

QTA also included a brief description and history of the landmarks as part of promoting the country’s tourist destinations this WTD dubbed as “Tourism For All – Promoting Universal Accessibility.”

On its Facebook page, QTA said Katara, which merges culture with recreation, “is an impressively built development offering a range of theatres, galleries and cultural venues along with an abundance of dining options facing the marvelous seaside.”

Residents can also visit the Imam Mohamed ibn Abd Al Wahhab Mosque and see its majestic minaret, multiple domes, high vaulted ceilings and wide exterior archways, according to QTA.

Another Qatar landmark to look into is the Aspire Zone, which features world-class sports facilities designed to promote an active and healthy living.

“It is the place to train, enjoy aquatic activities and unwind amongst the greenery at its Aspire Park,” QTA noted.

Participants are also encouraged to visit the Unesco World Heritage site in Qatar, the Al Zubarah Fort to get a big picture of what the past looked like.

For those who want to see the “vastness of the desert,” the East-West/West-East public art installation would be the right destination. It is made up of two 66.5m-long and 4.1m-tall steel curves “that snake diagonally through the exhibition space”.

Residents are also expected to visit MIA, which features more than 14 centuries of “the finest Islamic art and artefacts” from different parts of the globe.

“Housed in a modern architectural masterpiece designed by IM Pei, the museum ensures fresh interest through its constantly changing programme of special exhibitions,” QTA noted.

Besides MIA, QTA also cited the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum as an interesting place to visit. “It features a fascinating collection of more than 15,000 exhibits covering a spectrum of arts, artefacts and historic equipment.”

Souq Waqif, which hosts several retailers and restaurants catering to Arab and international travellers, is also set to welcome a large number of visitors.

Many tour operators and hotels will offer special packages at discounted prices for visitors such as touristic activities and excursions during the celebration.

It is learnt that some travellers from different parts of Europe such as Slovakians have already expressed interest in visiting Qatar as part of their itinerary in GCC countries.

Qatar joins other countries in celebrating WTD today aimed at fostering awareness in the international community on the importance of tourism.