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Dubai hotels are expecting occupancy levels to be similar to those recorded during the Expo, which brought millions to the country, said Guy Hutchinson, president and chief executive of UAE hotel operator Rotana. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Jumeirah Beach Residence area in Dubai. The Qatar World Cup is set to drive a massive influx of visitors into neighbouring transit hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, boosting demand for air travel and accommodation. AFP
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The Expo 2020 site. With hotels in Qatar fully booked in the run-up to the football tournament, UAE hotels are expected to record a rise in demand of up to 40 per cent. Ruel Pableo / The National
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Four Seasons Hotels and Resort within the DIFC. World Cup ticket holders will be staying in surrounding countries for the tournament and flying in and out of Qatar for matches. Photo: Four Seasons Hotels and Resort
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Hotels in Dubai Creek and Festival City are expected to record the biggest increase in occupancy rates since 2021. Photo: Sheraton
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The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi expect occupancy levels ranging between 80 per cent to 100 per cent. Unsplash
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An aerial view of The Palm. The UAE is expected to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Fifa football tournament. AP
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Dubai Harbour will host a Fifa World Cup fan festival during the tournament in Qatar. Wam
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Other fan zones will be set up across Dubai, including at the Football Park in the DIFC.
Landmarks such as Bluewaters Island and Ain Dubai, the world’s largest observation wheel, have put Dubai on the map as a global lifestyle destination. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MKAB5M24G5A6ZNBQKVM4IL3HB4.png?smart=true&auth=e36c912c1045384a099815f1cabe75d76db9ef0ef02d88dddd178d08c6b181b3&width=400&height=225)
Dubai hotels are expecting occupancy levels to be similar to those recorded during the Expo, which brought millions to the country, said Guy Hutchinson, president and chief executive of UAE hotel operator Rotana. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Jumeirah Beach Residence area in Dubai. The Qatar World Cup is set to drive a massive influx of visitors into neighbouring transit hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, boosting demand for air travel and accommodation. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QRV3HDYMM5AH5NF53E4IVR7KOU.jpg?smart=true&auth=eeb8966615963ec461fe58dd0aaa1f5dc0e40414d1a87c3aa4dca953f07b60fd&width=400&height=225)
The Expo 2020 site. With hotels in Qatar fully booked in the run-up to the football tournament, UAE hotels are expected to record a rise in demand of up to 40 per cent. Ruel Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AX36D6YGONCLPEXSURNQ5JAUPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=3266501d14b60cda5866d3be8bb23491ed69437d3e7f0d617bc2aa09b590a104&width=400&height=225)
Four Seasons Hotels and Resort within the DIFC. World Cup ticket holders will be staying in surrounding countries for the tournament and flying in and out of Qatar for matches. Photo: Four Seasons Hotels and Resort
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VQZ7IUCL7RE7ZMMVA7WGRSQTFI.jpg?smart=true&auth=a4064ef79065356dce834d24db7a789d280adb8328252cc05f363917270fcd81&width=400&height=225)
Hotels in Dubai Creek and Festival City are expected to record the biggest increase in occupancy rates since 2021. Photo: Sheraton
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AXPEMMGRWJEFRJCF62YWJJIIDI.jpg?smart=true&auth=907f97ccdd24f07e690bbfb0e72dc8963e53dabb2486fa6202e4bdabc48d3d12&width=400&height=225)
The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi expect occupancy levels ranging between 80 per cent to 100 per cent. Unsplash
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IPWM4CXQKFMAVGNYJHWOGGSHO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=5989cba7bd10128ee99f62822d84f5d3ce0a8de3c9cd0b857d57a0cb68a516b6&width=400&height=225)
An aerial view of The Palm. The UAE is expected to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Fifa football tournament. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DOZ62FXCAJAC5BE5VJ2SAYL4R4.jpg?smart=true&auth=2b0b1b5c605ac496c10dec6f6a8ce8b66320fdc1cfe66c019188eeb367918aad&width=400&height=225)
Dubai Harbour will host a Fifa World Cup fan festival during the tournament in Qatar. Wam
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XE5QKJQEVFCETC4SRRKOMVO4AM.jpg?smart=true&auth=242ee0e5ba04105e1b17c0cd8834438465e664479c960ae68aac82fa32b36a17&width=400&height=225)
Other fan zones will be set up across Dubai, including at the Football Park in the DIFC.
Landmarks such as Bluewaters Island and Ain Dubai, the world’s largest observation wheel, have put Dubai on the map as a global lifestyle destination. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MKAB5M24G5A6ZNBQKVM4IL3HB4.png?smart=true&auth=e36c912c1045384a099815f1cabe75d76db9ef0ef02d88dddd178d08c6b181b3&width=400&height=225)
Dubai hotels are expecting occupancy levels to be similar to those recorded during the Expo, which brought millions to the country, said Guy Hutchinson, president and chief executive of UAE hotel operator Rotana. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Qatar World Cup 2022 to recreate 'Expo effect' for UAE hotels
Hospitality sector in the Emirates expects near or full occupancy during the mega sporting event in November
![Deena Kamel](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F0357f044-2550-41af-bfe5-55c0fbeff34a.png?smart=true&auth=6abd6634301a14db937d0c13538c68342c45d5964b8a29e86b6af9727b83a2f9&width=70&height=70)
Deena Kamel
14 October, 2022
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