Sporting events will boost the tourism and hospitality economy by up to 30% in the region during the fourth quarter (Q4) of the year, said Musafir.com, a leading online travel agency in the United Arab Emirates, in its semi-annual travel trend.
The Middle East is emerging as the fastest growing sports tourism destination in the world, valued at around $600 billion, according to the World Trade Organization. Major events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, etc. will boost Gulf tourism in the last quarter of the year.
Among the GCC countries, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar will see the majority of travelers come mainly from Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa and the United Kingdom. The United Arab Emirates tops the list as a preferred destination for travelers due to its proximity to major sporting events as well as family-friendly activities, personal and societal safety, room availability, shopping experiences at the retail, adventure sports and recreation, and seamless connectivity.
With seamless connectivity, the UAE can expect inbound flights to increase by up to 20% compared to the same period last year. In addition to attending sporting events, fans will want to explore “thrill-seeking” activities to complement a comprehensive travel experience that encapsulates all the country has to offer. Camping and outdoor activities will also see an increase in the fourth quarter of 2022 due to pleasant weather.
Sachin Gadoya, CEO and Co-Founder of Musafir.com and Musafir Business, said: “Sporting events act as a catalyst and can have a huge impact on the economy – as we will see millions of fans coming together to not only watch their favorite sport, but also to live an unforgettable experience during their stay in the region. We expect the tourism sector to grow exponentially, driven by rising tourist numbers in the fourth quarter of 2022 – as arrivals and occupancy will be even higher than before the pandemic, which is a much-needed boost for the travel and hospitality industry.”
The results show that due to the full capacity of hotels in Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, hotels in the United Arab Emirates will see up to a 40% increase in accommodation demand and uptake. price inflation. Looking ahead to the event, Musafir.com saw around 80% growth in advance bookings between Dubai and Doha. This number will further increase significantly by the end of 2022.
The report also reveals that the average spending by travelers would be around $5,000 for a hotel stay, transportation, shopping and exploring the city. The report also highlights that the bulk of hotel occupancy in the UAE will reach 100% during the fourth quarter of 2022, with tourists seeking 5-star and 4-star hotels.
Recently, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman announced a multiple-entry tourist visa for supporters attending the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 to “Hayya” card holders, thus facilitating the entry and exit of tourists.
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