The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) on Wednesday announced its Hayya Card programme and launched the accommodation booking website for fans attending this year's FIFA World Cup, which will take place from November 21 to December 18.
Saeed al-Kuwari, executive director of Hayya at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), said at a press conference Wednesday that fans should apply for a Hayya Card, which will be mandatory to attend matches after purchasing FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tickets. He noted that the Hayya Card will provide a number of benefits, including free public transport for ticket holders on match days. It will also act as an entry permit to Qatar for international visitors.
Match ticket holders will be able to apply for a Hayya Card via Qatar2022.qa and the 'Hayya to Qatar 2022' mobile application on iOS and Android.
He explained that there are two parts when it comes to applying for the card. The first part relates to people from outside the country who have international documents. These people have to follow the correct procedures, which are buying tickets and verifying them, reserving the place of accommodation and verifying it, and then applying for the card.
The second part relates to people inside the country who are holders of ID cards. They have to take two steps, the first is to buy the ticket and then apply for the Hayya Card. “Once the card is approved, its digital copy can be downloaded onto a person’s smartphone,” he explained, stressing that purchasing the ticket is mandatory before obtaining the card.
Concerning fans from neighbouring countries who wish to come and return on the same day, al-Kuwari said they have the option of staying for one day, and this option will be available through the platform.
Service centres to print the Hayya Card will be announced and launched soon, he added.
“Based on our previous experiences, we were able to enhance and simplify the registration process. It’ll be a completely different experience this time. Things have been made more simple with features," he added.
Fans from outside Qatar can now book accommodation via the dedicated Host Country Accommodation Portal, which will offer various options throughout the year such as apartments, villas and cruise ship cabins. Fans can also book accommodation through traditional means, such as hotel and holiday accommodation websites.
Omar Abdulrahman al-Jaber, executive director of the SC Housing Department, advised those who have bought tickets to book their accommodation early.
He revealed the details of the Host Country Accommodation Portal, noting that it is main portal for booking accommodation and has been planned over a long time in order to offer a variety of options on one platform, providing fans with exclusive accommodation solutions and options to be announced in the coming period.
He underlined that the SC seeks to achieve urban sustainability through this platform after the end of the tournament.
Al-Jaber said the portal provides World Cup fans with high-level accommodation options, such as local and international hotels with a rating of 3, 4 and 5 stars, in addition to apartments and villas that have been equipped as residential units and provide housing services with 5-star hotel quality. These units are located in more than one area in the country at varying prices.
The options also include 28,000 housing rooms provided by Barwa Real Estate Company, in addition to 'floating hotels' in the form of two luxury cruise ships, docked at Doha Port, only a 10-minute ride from Souq Waqif. The two ships will offer 4,000 cabins that can accommodate more than 8,000 fans. The 'floating hotels' will offer a variety of room options, from traditional cabins overlooking the sea to rooms with balconies and luxurious suites.
Each 'floating hotel' will also offer multiple dining possibilities and entertainment programmes for all ages. The 'floating hotels' will offer the opportunity to enjoy "exceptional services, amazing facilities, great food and amazing entertainment" during the mega event.
There will also be residential villages in four locations, one of which is Lusail, that will provide 2,500 housing units.
The accommodation options meet government compliance standards for real estate and will be managed by a dedicated hospitality service provider during the event to ensure people have a comfortable stay.
Also, a wide range of world-renowned hotels and hospitality services will be available. The accommodation options provide a range of hotels to suit all budgets and requirements.
Meanwhile, the Fans Village will give fans the experience of "living in a festival".
Serviced apartments and villas will be available for visiting fans to experience the tournament as if they were at home and in their countries. The platform offers options for booking from one to six bedrooms with full kitchens, living rooms and other home amenities. He said there are plenty of properties in and around Doha where fans can find exactly what they need.
Mohamed al-Kuwari, representative of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Security and Safety Operations Committee, said the committee is working with its local, regional and international partners in the organisational, security and military sectors to ensure a safe experience for fans during the World Cup.
He underlined that the committee will spare no effort to enhance the security and safety of the public and all those in the country with the highest security standards.
He indicated that Hayya Card is mandatory for all fans to enter the country and the tournament stadiums during the World Cup period, adding that the card provides its owner with a multi-entry permission and a number of features to facilitate security measures during the tournament, aiming to ensure the safety and security of fans.
Mohamed Rashid al-Khanji, Local and Regional Media expert at the SC, said the organisers strive to make the fans' experience a unique one during the event.
The SC has advised fans to note that Covid-19 requirements will be dependent on the latest guidelines from Qatar's Ministry of Public Health and will be announced in due course.
Qatar is preparing to host the most compact version of the FIFA World Cup in modern history. All the stadiums are within close proximity of central Doha, helping cut travel costs for fans while significantly reducing the event's carbon footprint. (With inputs from Qatar News Agency)
Officials at the press conference Wednesday. PICTURE: Thajudheen
