Sponsored by the Riyadh Branch of the General Authority for Tourism and Antiquities and organized by the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, the “Discover Riyadh” Instagram photo contest has been launched. The contest aims to showcase the most beautiful photos of the capital from April 22 through May 27, 2015.

Mr. Abdulaziz Al Hassan, Director General of the Riyadh Region Tourism Authority, emphasized that the contest was organized to highlight the capital’s tourist, historical, and heritage sites through the lenses of photographers, and he commended the Four Seasons Hotel for launching the contest. Mr. Al Hassan said that the Riyadh branch of the Authority works in partnership with the public and private sectors to provide all services that meet consumers“ needs and live up to their expectations, explaining that the branch encourages and supports initiatives undertaken by its partners to help enrich the knowledge and information available to the capital’s residents and to highlight the city’s beauty and various facets through photographs. Mr. Al Hassan added: ”Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms in the Kingdom, and we wanted to capitalize on this popularity and provide a way for Saudis to serve as ambassadors for their city by sharing stunning photos that highlight the beauty of Riyadh and showcase to the world the various places that can be discovered in the city.“ Meanwhile, Anthony Tyler, General Manager of the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, said that the contest aims to change the world’s perception of Riyadh as merely a business destination, especially since the city has much more to offer, as it is home to unique and diverse heritage sites, as well as one-of-a-kind natural and archaeological sites, making it a prime tourist destination. He praised the joint efforts of the General Authority for Tourism and Antiquities and the Four Seasons Hotel, which will play a positive role in promoting the city both locally and internationally through this competition.