2022 World Cup fans could stay in Qatar desert camps
Qatar is reportedly planning to house fans in desert camps during the FIFA 2022 World Cup to compensate for a shortfall in the number of hotel rooms.
Oxford Economics director David Goodger said during MEED Qatar Projects conference that Qatar was unlikely to meet a FIFA target of 60,000 rooms for the tournament, and could fall 14,000 short.
The country had 20,700 hotels rooms by the end of 2015.
He said Qatar officials are considering alternative options for the tournament including accommodating large numbers of visitors in desert camps or even allowing residents to use services like Airbnb to open up their homes to visiting fans during the world cup.
Previous reports indicate that the country is also considering hosting about 6,000 visitors on cruise ships during the event.
Goodger said that the infrastructure for desert camps are more cost effective than constructing more hotels, which will most probably sit empty following the tournament.
He said the desert camp idea would be feasible due to the close proximity of all the stadiums and could even serve as a setting for fan zones, where alochol could be served.
The country currently has about 21,000 hotels rooms and serviced apartment and this is only expected to increase to 46,000 by 2022.
The Qatar World Cup is due to be held in November and December when temperatures could average below 25 degrees Celsius.
What do you think about this idea? Will world cup fans enjoy staying in a tent?
I wonder if there will be separate camps for Brazilian male and female supporters ?
I wonder if there will be separate camps for Brazilian male and female supporters ?
Fantastic idea.. I love it......
Desert and Alcohol being served? Bad combo I believe...yes let people loose in the desert with booze, very good idea! What happens when sun comes up! We might have few lost in the desert or some floating on the beach! Great Ideas just keeps coming!
This is a brilliant idea. You could offer them Arabic ambience complete with camel rides, belly dancers and shisha.....
Is the rent fixed or its in the hands of greedy real estate/hotel agents. I think the 2022 WC will be expensive football to watch it in stadium.
Otherwise I think it could be the largest prostitution center in Qatar for the time of the World Cup. I'm not sure what they really want.
It depends. If the tents are 'males only' the fans will not enjoy it.