Qatar is expanding the use of artificial intelligence and connected technology across its tourism sector, with digital services covering stages from trip planning and visa applications to airport navigation and event bookings.
Visit Qatar’s AI Trip Concierge allows visitors to build personalized itineraries and access destination information before travelling, while Hayya enables eligible travelers to manage visa requirements digitally.
At Hamad International Airport, passengers can use Fast Pass, a facial recognition service that enables them to move through the airport using biometric verification. Location-enabled navigation and digital information points are also available to help passengers navigate the terminal.
Once in Qatar, visitors can use the country’s transport network and Visit Qatar’s digital platforms to find landmarks, events and experiences.
Visit Qatar introduced generative AI in 2024
Visit Qatar was among the first tourism entities in the region to introduce generative AI into its official visitor platforms in 2024, as its digital services evolved in response to changing traveler behavior and demand for greater personalization, immediacy and convenience.
Its GenAI Trip Concierge combines text, voice, interactive maps, trip planning and a virtual human in one service. Available for chat in more than 50 languages, it can create personalized itineraries, remember visitor preferences and allow travelers to modify plans conversationally.
The service draws on Visit Qatar’s destination content, events, offers and practical travel information.
Visit Qatar has also expanded AI beyond traditional search through Qatar Lens, allowing visitors to upload an image of a landmark or location in Qatar. The service can provide the name of the location, cultural or historical context, opening hours and practical information.
Digital services streamline access and discovery
Hayya provides a digital gateway for travel and visa facilitation, allowing international visitors who require visas to complete the process online. Vehicle pre-registration through Hayya also helps streamline entry through the Abu Samra land border.
Qatar Calendar provides a central platform for exploring the country’s year-round programme, featuring more than 500 events annually.
A newly launched Visit Qatar Widget for iPhone and Android users brings continuously updated Qatar Calendar content directly to mobile screens, providing residents and visitors with information on events across the country.
Visit Qatar is also preparing a unified digital ticketing platform, scheduled to launch by the end of 2026. The platform will provide a centralized service for discovering and booking events and tourism experiences across Qatar.
Digital tourism supports diversification strategy
The developments are part of Qatar’s efforts to embed technology across its tourism ecosystem as travelers increasingly use digital tools to plan, access and experience destinations.
The approach supports the ambitions of Qatar National Vision 2030, which identifies tourism as a driver of economic diversification while seeking to use digital innovation to build a more competitive and future-ready sector.
Qatar Airways connects Doha to more than 160 destinations worldwide, while the country’s transport network provides access to destinations and experiences within Qatar.
Together, the digital services, tourism offering, infrastructure and connectivity form the technology-enabled visitor journey Qatar is developing as the global tourism industry focuses increasingly on artificial intelligence and digital services.
