Qatar World Cup 2022 looms as money-spinner for Dubai

High lodging costs within the Qatari capital Doha and Dubai’s extra permissive atmosphere — together with a wider availability of alcohol — may entice followers, specialists say. Budget airline flydubai will run at the very least 30 return flights a day to Doha, simply an hour away, a part of a day by day airlift of 160 shuttle companies from cities within the resource-rich Gulf.

Economic windfall

Dubai “has relatively relaxed social standards with respect to certain aspects of culture, such as alcohol consumption and clothing codes”, mentioned James Swanston, a Middle East and North Africa economist at Capital Economics.

Any financial windfall, and mirrored glory from the primary World Cup on Arab soil, will come lower than two years after Doha and the UAE have been daggers-drawn over a regional blockade that remoted Qatar from its neighbours.

Dubai Sports Council has estimated about one million World Cup followers may arrive within the metropolis. Given that Qatar is anticipating the same quantity, the prediction could also be bold.

Nonetheless, Dubai is gearing up with fan zones introduced at parks, seashores and within the monetary centre, whereas resorts are providing particular packages. Such offers embody shuttle flights and transport to the airport and fan zones.

The UAE can also be providing multiple-entry visas on the nominal price of 100 Durhams ($27) to folks with tickets for World Cup matches. Qatar World Cup

World Cup commuters

Visiting followers gained’t be Dubai’s solely World Cup commuters. Firas Yassin, a French-Lebanese Dubai resident, booked a day-trip to see France’s opening sport after being “shocked” by the value of Doha resort rooms.

Mr. Yassin will fly in together with his spouse 5 hours earlier than the conflict with Denmark on November 26, and go away just a few hours after the ultimate whistle having realized a life-long dream to see “Les Bleus” play dwell.

“I’m going to visit the city, watch the match and then go back to my place in Dubai,” the 34-year-old informed AFP.

Expat Sport, which is licensed by FIFA to promote match hospitality packages for the video games in Doha, famous that “convenience” was a key thing about folks selecting to remain in Dubai. 

It cited “the regular shuttle flights operating between the two cities and it only being an hour flight”.

One Dubai resort, on the man-made, frond-shaped Palm island, will likely be given over fully to soccer followers.

“We have had a surge of bookings from Mexico, UK, Europe and India,” Expat Sport mentioned. “Room nights are going fast and we expect to be fully booked at this rate.”

The UAE’s resort occupancy these 12 months is already greater than 40% larger than Covid-hit 2019, with a “strong tourism performance” anticipated this winter, Dubai emir and UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum mentioned on Sunday.

As of May, Dubai had 769 resorts with greater than 140,000 rooms, a big rise from early 2019, based on official figures.

Shuttle flights will even run from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman to alleviate stress on lodging in Doha, a metropolis of two.4 million. Qatar World Cup

But “relative to other Gulf states, Dubai does hold an advantage with its standing as a major tourist destination already”, Swanston mentioned. Qatar World Cup