Qatar’s Success Set to Boost Gulf Region

The 2022 FIFA World Cup will provide an economic boost to not just Qatar but the entire region, according to a new report by the National Bank of Kuwait.

Neighbouring countries in the Gulf can also expect a financial boon from the tournament, the report argues, with Qatar’s significant construction programme expected to have a knock-on impact on other countries in the Middle East.

Planned infrastructure upgrades are also likely to prove beneficial.

“Hosting the World Cup will set tight deadlines, create extra spending, bring in new expertise and present additional motivation and incentives,” the report stated.

A $25 billion metro and rail network, a $7 billion deep water port, a $10 billion international airport at Doha and a $4 billion causeway linking Qatar and Bahrain are among the major infrastructure projects planned ahead of the kick off. Qatar also plans to spend $20 billion on building and expanding its road network.

For the tournament itself, 12 state-of-the-art stadia with air conditioning will be constructed at a cost of $4 billion.

The study went on o state Qatari officials have pledged to add 90,000 new hotel rooms before 2022, surpassing the 65,000 demanded by FIFA.

Qatar plans to become a Sport Tourism superpower as it aligns itself with the fastest growing sector in travel and tourism.  According to WSDE Experts, Sport Tourism is currently worth $600 billion a year and this year will make up an astonishing 14% of all travel and tourism receipts.