Abu Dhabi bookings start to surge ahead of FIFA World Cup

Hoteliers in Abu Dhabi expect last-minute surge in bookings ahead of World Cup in Qatar.

The event is expected to attract at least 1.2 million visitors, hotel bookings are rising in neighbouring cities in the region, and thousands of fans will be shuttled in and out of Doha.

National Talk to the capital’s hotel experts who say one month competition It will further boost business during the industry’s traditionally busiest time of year.

“We’re expecting a surge in last-minute bookings as kickoff approaches,” said Simon Leigh, managing director of Premier Inn Mena, which owns two hotels in the city – Premier Inn Capital Center and Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Airport.

“The World Cup, held during the peak tourist season for inbound tourists, will once again boost the tourism and hospitality industry and will further establish the UAE and the wider region as the world’s leading destination for global tourists.

“We are preparing for one of the busiest times in the history of the Middle East.”

The competition will take place in Doha on November 20 and end on December 18.

Accommodation in Qatar was rapidly running out on the eve of the final, leading many fans to look for other places to stay in neighboring countries.

According to Booking.com, 90 percent of hotels within 2 miles of the Corniche were unavailable on the first night of the race.

On the day of the cup final, more than 70% of Abu Dhabi’s 3- to 5-star hotels were also closed.

An online search for two-adult occupancy on November 20 revealed that there was only one room left in either of the 2 cheapest hotel rooms, which cost AED 566 and AED 727, including taxes.

If you want to be within 2 miles of the city centre, the cheapest available room listed is Dh916.

“During the game, our hotel will be a hive of activity – both for the guests staying with us and those watching the game at our food and beverage outlets –” Mr Leigh said.

“While the event itself takes place in Qatar, the UAE will be an important hub for fans, whether they are ticket holders on a shuttle flight to the Olympics, or UAE-based tourists and residents feeling the atmosphere locally.

“Occupancy rates at both hotels are already high during the World Cup. As always, the Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport has a strong appetite and guests can book their accommodation before their flight or when they arrive in the country.”

new market

Other hotel groups are also looking forward to benefiting from the first-ever tournament in the Middle East.

In some cases, fans will book a month’s stay at the same hotel during the game.

“We’ve noticed that guests book the entire World Cup month at our hotel because they can easily travel to and from Qatar to watch the game, while the rest of the time is spent exploring the city,” said Shaikha Al Nowais, vice president of Owner Relations, Luo Luo. The management of Tana Hotel Group.

“Our Abu Dhabi hotels have seen high demand for bookings in the last two months of the year, with occupancy rates expected to be in the 90s (percentage).

“The Rotana hotels in Qatar, the UAE and the larger Middle East tourism hub have performed extremely well, with high bookings during the World Cup season and beyond.”

The competition also allows the hotel to welcome guests from new markets as well as more familiar areas, she said.

“Guests from new Latin American markets such as Brazil and Mexico have increased,” Ms. Al Nowais said. “Tourists are [also coming] From the UK, Germany, France and other European countries. “

In Abu Dhabi alone, the Rotana Group has 17 hotels.

Football fans in the capital can also cheer on their teams in the Yas Links fan zone, which can hold up to 2,000 people.

The action will be teleported onto a giant LED screen measuring 16 x 9 meters, making it one of the largest outdoor screens in the UAE.

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Updated: November 5, 2022 5:04 AM