Qatar destinations in online spotlight

Scenic spots and other tourist destinations in and around Qatar are taking the global spotlight as residents take advantage of slowly cooling temperatures to travel and capture the country’s stunning views in photographs, which are uploaded online.
Aside from favourable weather conditions, Qatar Tourism Authority’s (QTA) social media competition to celebrate World Tourism Day (from today until October 1) and other activities slated next month have raised the level of excitement, especially among amateur and professional photographers.
“The variety of scenic destinations in Qatar get international exposure every time residents upload their travel photos on social media thus, the whole world gets a view of the beautiful places Qatar has to offer,” Doha resident and professional lensman Leo Bautista told Gulf Times yesterday.
He said the weather is now slowly becoming suitable again for landscape photography, street photography, and other types of outdoor fashion and “fun shoots,” as well as “photo walks.” Most of the photos taken during these shoots, he noted, find their way to different social media sites, giving Qatar “free, instant promotion” online.
“Many people have started going to beaches in Al Shamal, Wakrah, Mesaieed and Fuwairit not only for a swim but to take pictures. But there are also others who trooped to historic places in Qatar as far as Fort Zubara or the singing sand dunes for landscape photography, or at nearby Souq Waqif, Museum of Islamic Art or along the Corniche,” he said.
Bautista also said shutterbugs from different photography clubs in Qatar are “hyped” over QTA’s WTD competition, many of whom, he said, “cannot wait to start taking pictures of Qatar and upload them online.”
Earlier, the QTA encouraged residents to take photos of different parts of Qatar as part of its social media competition to celebrate WTD. The pictures must be taken using the life-size photo frames installed at eight different landmarks around Qatar. Using the hashtags #WTD2016 and #ShowcaseQatar, participants can upload their photos on social media for a chance to win prizes.
Bautista, who is the president of Doha Pinoy Shooters Club, lauded the QTA’s initiative and said the event not only helps promote Qatar and its destinations to the world, but provides participants time to enjoy the country “and bond with each other.”
“Photo sessions need not be expensive. Even the latest smartphones are now equipped with higher megapixels; and the quality is similar to those taken using DSLRs. So photo opportunities such as the WTD are great for bonding and having fun,” said Bautista, who added that photography clubs in Qatar are also gearing up for the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk starting from Muglina Unit Park to the Corniche on October 1.