2022 World Cup: Dubai, the next hub
The countdown has now begun. In less than three months’ time, the 22nd edition of the 2022 FIFA World Cup will take place.
The Qatar, the host nation, will kick off the tournament against Ecuador on 20 November at 7.00 pm at Al-Bayt Stadium in Al-Khor, north of Doha. The opening ceremony promises to be spectacular, with over 2 million tickets already sold.
To mark the occasion, the city of Dubai is decked out in lights and is preparing for almost full occupancy throughout this new FIFA competition.
Dubai’s first football-themed hotel is set to open in November
Dubai plans to kick off the 2022 World Cup with the opening of the NH Dubai The Palm this coming November. It is a football-themed hotel and the first of its kind in the United Arab Emirates.
Offering breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea, the Marina skyline, the Burj Al Arab and the Dubai Eye, it features 533 rooms, a rooftop infinity pool, beach access and unique facilities, as well as a sports bar which will become a fan zone for football fans, who will be able to watch the matches there.
Located to the west of The Palm Jumeirah, NH Dubai on The Palm is set to become a magnet for fans travelling to Qatar to attend the region’s biggest sporting event.
However, as the start of the event on 20 November draws nearer, demand for hotel rooms has soared in recent weeks.
The Football Fans Dubai experience, organised by the travel agency Expat Sport, will therefore be offering great-value packages to take part in this unique and immersive sporting experience.
Day trips in Doha and welcome packages
Supporters travelling to Doha for a day trip and staying at the hotel will receive welcome packs, tickets and discounts to watch matches in other fan zones around the city.
Return transfers will be provided from the NHO Hotel to Dubai Airport (DWC) and from Doha Airport (DIA) to the 2022 World Cup stadium.
Shuttles will also be provided so that supporters can attend other matches in the city’s official fan zones, at Dubai Harbour, the Coca-Cola Arena and the DIFC Football Park.
Expat Sport is offering a four-night stay for 4,700 dh (≈ 1,290€), 9,400 dirhams (≈ 2,580 euros) for eight nights and a 12-night package for 14,200 dirhams (≈ 3,900 euros), all including accommodation in a double or twin room.
Travel and hotel packages will be available exclusively to those who have already purchased a match ticket from FIFA or elsewhere. Welcome packages will start at 3,500 Dh (≈ 960€) for a group stage match and include stadium parking, food and drinks.
The most expensive welcome package will consist of a seat in the Pearl Lounge at 18,000 Dh (≈ 4,940€) per person for a group stage match. It includes a six-course meal, entertainment, cocktails and a dedicated concierge service.
However, those wishing to upgrade to the ‘prestige’ level can book a stadium suite for the modest sum of 82,450 Dh (≈ 22,620€), which will give you access to a private dining experience.
A global event with a significant impact on property prices in Dubai
As Dubai is less than an hour’s journey from Doha, the city’s hotels are expected to be almost fully booked over the coming months.
Nevertheless, it is certain that tens of thousands, or even millions, of football fans will flock to neighbouring countries in search of accommodation. Hotel bookings are therefore expected to reach new heights in Dubai between November and December.
Just like requests to rent flats or villas from private individuals on Airbnb.
«Supporters of South American teams and the major European sides are the ones generating the most demand for hotel rooms, as fans expect their national teams to reach the later stages of the tournament,» said David Allen, managing director of Radisson Hotels. «As there is little or no availability in Qatar, we are seeing a great deal of interest in the country. Bookings are typically for groups of between 50 and 100 people at a time,» he said.
Given the United Arab Emirates authorities« track record of pulling out all the stops for major events, there is no doubt that Dubai will be »the place to be’ for football fans during the 2022 World Cup.
Consequently, a considerable influx of potential investors will go hand in hand with the surge in tourism, which will certainly have the necessary resources for an event as costly as the 2022 World Cup.
Property owners will therefore be banking on demand during this global event, and capitalising on this incredible opportunity for the whole world to discover the beauty of Dubai and the quality of life in the Emirates.
A rebound in occupancy
The upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar has created a sense of optimism in Dubai’s hospitality sector.
The recent announcement that several Gulf airlines, such as Air Arabia and Fly Dubai, are joining forces to offer visitors daily shuttle flights to Qatar will enable supporters to stay in cities such as Dubai and fly over for the day, ensuring a busy season for the whole region.
Colliers’ analysis in its latest MENA Hotel Forecast suggests that the tourism industry will see a massive rebound in the final quarter of 2022.
Hotels in Dubai Creek and Festival City are expected to see the sharpest rise in occupancy rates since 2021, with an increase of 19 % to reach an estimated rate of 77 % for the year, according to the Colliers report.
Hotels in the DIFC and along Sheikh Zayed Road are expected to see an increase of 17 %, reaching an occupancy rate of 73 %, whilst hotels in Abu Dhabi Beach are expected to see an increase of 17 % to reach an occupancy rate of around 64 %.
Get ready for a spectacular 2022 World Cup in a host country that knows how to welcome visitors.
