Gulf nations are preparing for a boom in tourism as huge numbers of football fans plan trips to watch the Qatar World Cup in November.
Qatar’s hosting of the world’s largest sporting event will lead to one of the busiest winter tourism seasons yet, particularly for Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.
Though Doha has spent billions on hotel accommodation and infrastructure, a significant shortfall remains.
About 1.5 million visitors are expected for the month-long tournament, due to kick-off on November 21.
The World Cup is a shop window and an ideal opportunity to show what we have to offer
Nasser Al Qaedi,
Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority
But with only 130,000 or so rooms provided by hotels, cruise liners anchored off Doha and desert camp sites, the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia will be attractive alternative destinations for fans - though flight tickets have already surged in price.
“The UAE as a global hub will have every opportunity to capitalise on strong visitor numbers who wish to use the emirates as their base for the tournament games,” said David Garner, Mena region commercial vice president of Minor Hotels, which owns the Anantara and Avani brands.
“Demand will be generated by the 32 countries who have qualified for the World Cup but also from many other global fans.”
Travellers from most GCC nations can reach Qatar’s Hamad International Airport in about an hour or less.
Representatives from Qatar Airways, Dnata Travel, Etihad, Hilton and Bahrain's tourism authority told The National they have witnessed a surge in interest since the first phase of tickets went on sale.
“There’s an expectation that many football fans heading to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will use Dubai either as a staging post or as a pre or post visit option due to Dubai’s excellent visitor options and attractions,” said Stuart Birkwood, general manager of Radisson Red Dubai in Silicon Oasis.
“With the more varied visitor activities available to football fans here in Dubai compared to Qatar we have heard that many fans will use Dubai as a base between, before or even after games they’ll attend in Qatar.”
The final draw for the group stages of the World Cup is not due until April.
But fans are already planning trips to the region as the first round of ticket applications for matches opened in January.
The tournament begins on Monday, November 21, with hosts Qatar playing in the first match at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.
Group matches will run until Friday, December 2 with the first of the knockout games beginning on Saturday, December 3.
The final will be held at the 80,000-seater Lusail Stadium on Sunday, December 18.
Dubai most preferred base for fans
Dubai is likely to be the most attractive satellite base for World Cup fans — and the Emirate has capacity for more than 100,000 hotel rooms.
Booking agents at Dnata Travel said the Emirates could provide the perfect springboard for World Cup visitors to Qatar.
“Demand from travellers heading to this part of the world is anticipated to be exceptionally high in the winter months of 2022,” said Emily Jenkins, general manager of Dnata Travel Leisure.
“With demand only set to increase, we recommend that travellers book their journeys as far in advance as possible to secure their perfect trip.”
The UAE has more than 180,000 hotel rooms at its disposal for visitors, according to the latest figures from Statista’s tourism report published in November.
Muscat and Manama set to benefit
Bahrain has more than 18,000 hotel rooms to offer, while Saudi Arabia has about 600,000, according to the report.
The nine resorts and 11 five-star hotels in nearby Kuwait, could also make it a base for supporters unable to stay in Qatar.
Although slightly further away, the football-mad nation of Oman is also likely to stoke up plenty of interest from fans hoping to join the action in Qatar.
A 90-minute flight to Doha from Muscat is currently on offer for around Dh2,300 with Oman Air.
Hotel prices for the UAE remain competitively priced, but as demand increases closer to the World Cup, they are likely to rise.
In Qatar, no hotel rooms were available to book online during the tournament on several booking apps. It was not clear whether they are sold out, or whether rooms are yet to be released for booking.
“Whenever a major sporting event comes to the Middle East, it creates a huge buzz and we’re seeing a surge in interest for our properties in Qatar and across the Middle East as football fans around the world start planning their trips,” said Stijn Bastiaens, vice president and commercial director for Hilton in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey.
We’re seeing a surge in interest for our properties in Qatar and across the Middle East as football fans around the world start planning their trips
Stijn Bastiaens,
Hilton
As many airlines plan special deals for fans with connecting flights, competition for business is likely to match the intensity on the pitch as 32 teams compete for the biggest prize in sport.
Etihad Airways is among the airlines preparing to boost services into Qatar for the month-long football festival.
“Having the Fifa World Cup on our doorstep is a great boost for the region,” said Martin Drew, Etihad’s senior vice president of global sales and cargo.
Flight operators set to increase Qatar services
To support the additional demand for travel into and around the region, Etihad Airways will increase passenger services between Abu Dhabi and Doha to six daily flights from November 21 to December 18.
Meanwhile, Qatar Airways has launched complete travel packages, inclusive of match tickets, return flights and accommodation options.
To guarantee their experience, fans can choose from seven-tiered travel packages, but at $3,800 — they come at a premium price.
Many fans are likely to book their own trip and look to cut costs by staying elsewhere in the region.
Qatar Airways said demand on many routes, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, has risen drastically for the tournament dates.
“There is already significant demand on these routes as we currently operate double-daily flights from Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, and triple-daily flights from Dubai, with high load factors,” a spokesman said.
“We continue to review our operational requirements on a regular basis, as market demand evolves, and exploring options to further boost our growing flight schedule with increased frequencies on specific routes."
Etihad is currently offering return flights to Doha on the first full weekend of action on Saturday, November 26 and returning the next day for Dh4,765.
On the same weekend, a Qatar Airways return flight from Dubai to Doha will cost around Dh5100.
The final quarter of 2020 is already a time in demand for UAE tourists, with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, HSBC Rugby Sevens in Dubai and National Day popular reasons to visit.
With a first Gulf World Cup thrown into the mix, it is likely to be a golden opportunity for tour operators and travel agents across the region to maximise revenue.
Dr Nasser Al Qaedi, chief executive of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority, said the region would be in the shop window like never before, and hopes to capitalise.
“Hotels resorts are all getting ready to welcome visitors to Bahrain during the World Cup and engaging with sporting teams who want to use the country to acclimatise to the region before those matches,” he told The National.
“It is a way to attract people to this area for the first time and take advantage of these windows of opportunity to mobilise everything so it is all in place.”
Seven new five-star hotels are due to open in Bahrain this year, to complement improved tourism attractions elsewhere, such as waterfront facilities of Bahrain Bay.
“The World Cup is a shop window and an ideal opportunity to show what we have to offer,” said Dr Al Qaedi.
“This will be a transformative year for Bahrain.
“We want to enhance our connectivity within the region to cross-fertilise traffic with Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar to benefit.”
The Gulf state’s spending spree to bring one of the most prestigious world events to a tiny country with only 3 million people has been audacious.
According to Qatar’s World Cup organising committee, about $6.5 billion was spent on building seven new stadiums, and to cover the direct costs of event hosting.
Financial experts estimate the cost of transforming Qatar’s infrastructure with improved road and rail networks to be far higher, and could top $200 billion.
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: SimpliFi
Started: August 2021
Founder: Ali Sattar
Based: UAE
Industry: Finance, technology
Investors: 4DX, Rally Cap, Raed, Global Founders, Sukna and individuals
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
TOUCH RULES
Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.
Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.
Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.
A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.
After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.
At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.
A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The Saudi Cup race card
1 The Jockey Club Local Handicap (TB) 1,800m (Dirt) $500,000
2 The Riyadh Dirt Sprint (TB) 1,200m (D) $1.500,000
3 The 1351 Turf Sprint 1,351m (Turf) $1,000,000
4 The Saudi Derby (TB) 1600m (D) $800,000
5 The Neom Turf Cup (TB) 2,100m (T) $1,000,000
6 The Obaiya Arabian Classic (PB) 2,000m (D) $1,900,000
7 The Red Sea Turf Handicap (TB) 3,000m (T) $2,500,000
8 The Saudi Cup (TB) 1,800m (D) $20,000,000
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
UAE’s revised Cricket World Cup League Two schedule
August, 2021: Host - United States; Teams - UAE, United States and Scotland
Between September and November, 2021 (dates TBC): Host - Namibia; Teams - Namibia, Oman, UAE
December, 2021: Host - UAE; Teams - UAE, Namibia, Oman
February, 2022: Hosts - Nepal; Teams - UAE, Nepal, PNG
June, 2022: Hosts - Scotland; Teams - UAE, United States, Scotland
September, 2022: Hosts - PNG; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
February, 2023: Hosts - UAE; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
UAE%20Warriors%2045%20Results
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