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Business / Qatar Business

FIFA 2022 to boost Qatar, GCC tourism

Published: 10 Nov 2022 - 09:13 am | Last Updated: 10 Nov 2022 - 09:15 am
File photo

File photo

Joel Johnson | The Peninsula

Doha: With FIFA World Cup just 10 days away from the kickoff, a huge number of fans holding Hayya cards are expected to enter the Gulf State to witness the globe’s most prominent event. According to the officials in the country, more than 1 million fans are estimated to pave their way into the region. By hosting this sporting tournament, Qatar aims to enhance its sports, education, trade, tourism, and hospitality sectors.

According to a report by FitchSolutions, more tourists will be seen flooding into the GCC region over time as Qatar is set to host the World Cup this year. Undeniably, the State is poised to impact and influence communities worldwide. The surge in the travel industry will have a long-lasting impact and the economy of the country will grow rapidly with long-term benefits as the country is set to accommodate supporters across the globe. 

The report said: “At FitchSolutions, we believe the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup will boost the GCC’s tourism sector and provide a tailwind for long-term growth in the industry.” The tourism industry is likely to elevate Qatar’s economy and more foreign investments are expected to be pursued in the coming years. The report further says that “Other GCC states will accommodate fans seeking to travel to Qatar to watch the games. State-run airlines and aviation authorities from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait have signed agreements with Qatar to increase the number of flights during the tournament.”

The Arab country is also exuberant in promoting its sports and culture to the world by hosting a month-long event. “Qatar will become the first country in the MENA region to host the FIFA World Cup, which is likely to increase the global exposure of the region to cultural and sporting events. We think a successful World Cup would publicize the region as a potential destination for major cultural and sporting events and offer the opportunity for other GCC states, particularly Saudi Arabia, to follow Qatar’s lead,” it said.