Talent is showcased by Qatar, and money is earned by Dubai

UAE Enjoys World Cup Boom with Various Price Range Accommodations and Alcohol Allowed
Daily Dozens of Flights Connect Dubai and Qatar, Ensuring Convenience

Football fans, including those wearing Argentina national team uniforms, gathered on the 22nd (local time) at the fan zone set up in Dubai to enjoy the live broadcast of the Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia in the Qatar World Cup group stage. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), has emerged as the biggest beneficiary of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

The 2022 Qatar World Cup has seen considerable early upsets, boosting excitement, but the economic benefits are actually going to Dubai, UAE. This is interpreted as an unexpected effect caused by the host country and FIFA's complete ban on beer sales inside the stadiums.

On the 22nd (local time), The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Dubai is overflowing with football fans from various countries who came to cheer for the World Cup held in neighboring countries and Qatar. The reason Dubai, not the host country, is enjoying the World Cup boom is due to its economic and cultural infrastructure.

Unlike Qatar, which lacks sufficient accommodation facilities to host foreign football fans, Dubai, considered the most famous tourist city in the Middle East, offers a variety of lodging options at different price ranges.

Dubai allocated newly built hotels on the famous artificial island 'Palm Jumeirah' as accommodations for football fans. Additionally, Dubai's liberal atmosphere, which allows alcohol consumption for foreign tourists, is considered a major factor attracting football fans.

Qatar maintains strict alcohol and dress regulations similar to previous levels even during the tournament. Although it initially planned to allow beer sales in designated areas near the stadiums, it reversed this decision just before the event, disappointing football fans. Gareth Evans, a member of the Wales football team supporters group 'The Barry Horns,' who stayed in Dubai and traveled to Qatar during the tournament, said, "Qatar's culture doesn't really suit us. We are drinkers."

WSJ also reported that on the day matches between the UK and Iran, and Wales and the USA were held, one terminal at Dubai airport ran out of beer. This was because many British and Welsh fans drank as much as they could in Dubai, where beer is sold, before watching the matches in Qatar.

Since there are dozens of flights connecting the two cities daily, it is known that thousands of football fans enjoy the World Cup by staying in Dubai and visiting Qatar only on match days. Dubai also responded to this World Cup boom by applying simplified immigration procedures for tourists during the tournament to minimize the time spent traveling between Qatar and Dubai.

Kabir Mulchandani, manager of Dubai Five Hotel, said, "More than 90% of rooms were booked during the World Cup period," adding, "There is no explanation for this boom other than the World Cup."