Tour Business Witnesses GCC Inflow and Increase in World Cup Bookings

As Qatar prepares to host around 1.5 million spectators for the first World Cup of this stature to be held in the Arab world, the country has recently experienced a spike in bookings and requests for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Operators in the sector have witnessed a growth in business opportunities to partner with local businesses as the World Cup approaches in about four months.

Mosaad Moustafa Eleiwa, the founder and managing director of Outingqatar, said: "Recently, I received emails and calls from so many people, and they have booked through our website. We contact them and lay out the procedure when we receive inquiries and reservations from Brazil, the US, and Europe. These supporters want to reserve expensive vehicles, lodging, yacht excursions, chopper rides, and safari excursions. Many of them are prepared to pay in the future for the entire bundle.

Some organizations in Doha deal with Brazilian and Argentinean nationals. They provide us access to their clients so that we may give them the best experience possible. We are now receiving several inquiries and even some phone calls regarding business opportunities. Some businesses from the region and other nations, including Dubai, have contacted us about working together during the World Cup, he continued.

Eleiwa highlighted that there has been a growth in the number of residents and citizens from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), particularly from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, and that this number is expected to continue to rise.

"I think the GCC will start supporting us more than they have in the past. We still get a lot of business from the GCC; you can even see their cars on the streets right now. From Kuwait, we receive numerous calls asking for services such as heli-tours, boat excursions, luxury automobiles, and super sports cars. Prior to this, we dealt with more locals; now, it's beneficial for the company to receive more calls from either locals or residents.

Eleiwa also emphasized that the industry's fortunes had significantly improved from the previous two years when the tourism sector had suffered greatly as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Eleiwa said, "There is a change. "Calls, reservations, and business prospects have changed. Although it isn't quite at pre-pandemic levels yet, we are getting close. There are numerous indicators and genuine prospects. The situation is significantly better than it was last year.

With a number of residential and hospitality buildings scheduled for completion before the competition, Qatar has pledged to have lodgings ready for the World Cup.

The Arabian experience can also be enjoyed on cruise ships and while camping in the desert.

In the meantime, a number of tourism-related initiatives, including coastal resorts and a winter sun wonderland, will debut before the year is over.