Hayya Wins Silver Stevie Award for Public Sector Innovation in MENA

Qatar Tourism has announced that its flagship digital platform, Hayya Platform, has received the Silver Stevie Award in the Innovation in Public Administration category at the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards 2026.

The recognition highlights Hayya’s transformation into a comprehensive digital ecosystem that streamlines travel, tourism, and event management processes. Originally developed to facilitate major events, the platform has evolved into Qatar’s official e-visa gateway, integrating visa processing, event access, and accreditation services into a unified system.

Hayya’s ecosystem includes a suite of complementary solutions such as the Hayya Mobile App, Hayya Portal, Hayya Accreditation and Credentialing System, Hayya Move, the Hayya Reporting System, and the Group Visas and Accreditations Service. Together, these tools enhance operational efficiency and provide a seamless experience for visitors, organisers, and government entities.

The platform’s innovation is driven by advanced technologies, including optical character recognition to reduce manual data entry, artificial intelligence for photo compliance verification, and NFC-enabled passport scanning to simplify user processes.

Saeed Al Kuwari, Director of Hayya, stated that the award reflects the platform’s ongoing development as a national digital solution supporting Qatar’s tourism ecosystem, with a focus on improving efficiency and user experience while contributing to long-term sector growth.

Maggie Miller, President of the Stevie Awards, noted the high quality of submissions in this year’s programme and highlighted the rapid pace of innovation across the MENA region. Winners will be celebrated at a gala event scheduled for September 11 in Istanbul.

Operated by Qatar Tourism, the Hayya platform continues to play a central role in positioning Qatar as a digitally advanced destination, supporting the country’s broader vision for innovation-led growth in tourism and major events.