Sports fans have flocked to the UAE in recent months to watch and watch the competitions. Physically fit travelers pour millions into the coffers of the local hospitality and events industry.
Not only has the UAE hosted the final tournament of the Gulf DP World Tour and the Dubai Sevens rugby event, it has also hosted more guests at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar than any other country in the Middle East.
The latest figures from the Dubai Sports Authority show that the sports industry has contributed more than two billion euros to the economy and accounts for 2.3 percent of the emirate’s annual gross domestic product.
The best golf with high prize money
A lot of money is made during and through the golf tournament as part of the DP world tour. Fifty of the best golfers in the world compete for the title of best player and a first prize of nine million euros. The four-day golf tournament is attended by around 65,000 spectators, including more than 18,000 from abroad.
Simon Cory-Wright, director of tourism development for the DP World Tour, said: “There was a recent study that said the sports economy in Dubai as a whole is worth over $2 billion [1,6 Millionen Euro] exhibitions and that every sixth dollar [5,5 Millionen Euro], which is spent on sports in Dubai, goes to golf. So that’s an industry that’s worth about $350 million [330 Millionen Euro].”
According to the World Trade Organisation, the Middle East is emerging as the fastest growing sports travel destination in the world, with a market estimated at €550 billion. On average, travelers to Dubai spend around 4,500 euros on hotel stays, commuting, shopping and exploring the city.
Five star accommodation for sporty travellers
Dubai hosts millions of visitors in its 5-star hotels. The Jumeirah Beach Hotel has seen a sharp increase in advance bookings this autumn, thanks to international sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup and the Dubai Triathlon.
Jason Harding, manager and director of Jumeirah Beach Hotel & Wild Wadi, said: “When major sporting events such as the World Cup take place, we see a sharp increase in business. It’s very easy to recognize these guests by their attire or by the fact that they’re training in the pools for the event. When the World Cup took place we set up our areas and as a result players from Europe came here for holidays.”
The sports travel industry is also credited with creating around 100,000 jobs, which accounts for up to 4% of total employment in Dubai. And with more than 400 sports competitions each year, 100 of which are internationally oriented, this diverse and extensive offering makes the UAE the hub of global sports travel.
