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The UAE’s leading online travel agency, Musafir.com, said in its bi-annual travel trends that sporting events will boost the region’s tourism and hospitality economy by up to 30 percent in the fourth quarter of this year (Q4).
The Middle East is emerging as the world’s fastest growing sports tourism destination, worth an estimated $600 billion, according to the World Trade Organization. Major events such as the Qatar World Cup and the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will boost tourism in the Gulf in the final quarter of the year.
Among the GCC countries, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar will welcome the bulk of travellers mainly from Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa and the UK. The UAE is a top destination for travelers due to its proximity to major sporting and family-oriented events, personal safety and social security, room availability, diverse retail experiences, adventure sports and leisure, and seamless connectivity.
Inbound flights to the UAE are expected to soar by 20% compared to the same period last year due to seamless connectivity. In addition to attending sporting events, fans will also want to explore “thrill-seeking” activities as an add-on to an integrated travel experience that includes everything the country has to offer. Camping and outdoor activities will also increase in the fourth quarter of 2022 due to the pleasant weather.
Sachin Gadoya, CEO and co-founder of Musafir.com and Musafir Business, said: “Sporting events are catalysts that can have a huge impact on the economy – as we will see millions of fans come together to not only watch their favorites sports, but also unforgettable experiences during their stay in the region. We expect tourism to grow exponentially due to the increase in tourist numbers in the fourth quarter of 2022 – as arrivals and occupancy numbers will exceed even pre-pandemic times, which A much-needed boost for the travel and hospitality industry.”
As Qatar hotels are fully booked for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, accommodation demand and prices for hotels in the UAE will rise by as much as 40%, the findings show. Ahead of the event, Musafir.com saw a roughly 80% increase in advance bookings between Dubai and Doha. By the end of 2022, this number will increase significantly further.
The report also shows that travelers spend an average of about $5,000 on hotel accommodation, transportation, shopping and exploring the city. The report also highlighted that most hotels in the UAE will reach 100% occupancy in the fourth quarter of 2022, with tourists looking for 5- and 4-star hotels.
Most recently, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman announced multiple-entry tourist visas for fans attending the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to fans holding a “Hayya” card to facilitate tourist entry and exit. – arab trade news agency
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