Visit Qatar plans to expand its Qatar Through Your Lens competition following a successful inaugural edition that attracted more than 1,300 entries, according to Jassim al-Mahmoud, director of PR and Communications at Qatar Tourism. The announcement came during a ceremony held at Qatar Tourism’s headquarters in Msheireb Downtown Doha.
The competition, launched to encourage creative storytelling through photography and videography, aims to showcase Qatar’s landscapes, culture, attractions, and visitor experiences. Al-Mahmoud described the strong public response as indicative of growing engagement in promoting Qatar as an international tourist destination. He noted that the volume and quality of submissions made the contest particularly significant for Visit Qatar.
Winners were recognized during the event, with al-Mahmoud highlighting the difficulty of securing a top position due to the high level of competition. “Securing a place among the top ten for each category out of 1,300 entries was not an easy feat,” he said. The judging process, he added, was demanding, reflecting the standard of the work submitted.
Beyond celebrating individual talent, the contest has provided Visit Qatar with a robust collection of user-generated content that will support future promotional efforts and social media campaigns. Al-Mahmoud emphasized that while participants may view the contest primarily as a competition, Visit Qatar benefits significantly from the creative material produced. “This initiative helps us gather valuable content that will enhance our promotion of Qatar across various platforms,” he stated.
Encouraged by the positive feedback and the quality of contributions, Visit Qatar intends to continue hosting the competition. Al-Mahmoud revealed plans to broaden the scope of future editions, noting interest from government entities wishing to collaborate and elevate the competition further. Details about the expanded format and potential partners will be shared once preparations are complete.