With the announcement that Qatar will become the first Middle East nation to host the Fifa World Cup, the entire region is set for sport tourism windfall. From Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab to Abu Dhabi’s Ferrari World, BTN gives a rundown of the hotels and attractions set to reap the rewards from hosting the world’s greatest football tournament.

Burj Al Arab
Dubai is less than an hour by plane from Qatar, so entire emirate is set for a travel and tourism boom both in the build-up and during the World Cup. In particular, Dubai’s Burj Al Arab is set for a tourism windfall. Voted “World’s Leading Hotel” by the World Travel Awards, and the most recognised symbol of Dubai, the Burj is the world’s most luxurious hotel and the

Armani Hotel Dubai
When the world’s first Armani Hotel opened in Dubai in April 2010, it ushered in a new dawn for luxury hospitality, not just in the Middle East but worldwide.

The exquisite hotel will provide the ultimate place to stay during the tournament. Oozing Armani Casa’s trademark minimalist opulence, it marks a distinct separation from the ostentatious excess of other über-luxurious rivals.

Its landmark location inside the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, provides the perfect compliment to this polished palace, and reflects the close relationship between Armani and the iconic developer, Emaar Properties.

Qasr al Sarab

The new Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort in the United Arab Emirates is the ultimate oasis getaway, with the ambience of ancient Arabia. However it is also just over an hour by car from Abu Dhabi, making it an ideal base for the 2022 World Cup.

The Qasr Al Sarab is located among the highest sand dunes in the world at the heart of the Liwa Desert; a truly secluded paradise. Not just a scenic retreat located in an astounding, unique environment; the property encompasses authentic aspects of desert life and captures the true heritage and culture of the region.

There are 206 rooms on offer at the property, but guests looking for the ultimate in luxury are presented the chance to enjoy one of the three luxurious three bedroom Villas.

Adorned with hints of Bedouin tradition and exquisite reminders of timeless culture, guests are assured of feeling a million miles away from the fast pace of city life.

Regency Travel and Tours
A mega sporting event needs a world-class travel agent, and Qatar’s Regency Travel & Tours is it. Established in 1987, this company has grown into a world winner by offering its blue-chip client base that has raised the bar of service excellence not just in its native State of Qatar but worldwide. It was voted “World’s Leading Travel Agency” by at the Grand Final of the 2010 World Travel Awards for the third year running.

Ferrari World
When it opened in November, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi took its place as the largest indoor theme park in the world, and certainly it’s most amazing. Situated in Abu Dhabi, the theme park has become one of the essential tourist attractions in the region and will undoubted prove very popular during the 2022 World Cup in neighbouring Qatar.

Underneath its Ferrari-red, star-shaped roof it has nearly 100,000 square metres of space, and is over 30 metres high.

Alongside a range of concept restaurants and cafes offering authentic Italian dining experiences and unique shopping locations, Ferrari World is bristling with innovative new rides.

Among the star attractions is the Formula Rossa – which allows guests to go faster than anyone has ever been before on a rollercoaster, reaching 240 kmph in less than five seconds.

Al Faisaliah Center, Riyah
As Qatar’s next door neighbour, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabi is set for a tourism boom as a result of the 2022 World Cup. Its leading luxury complex is the Norman Foster designed Al Faisaliah Center, a mixed-use complex that is described as a “city within a city”. It combines an ultra-luxury five-star deluxe hotel, apartment accommodations, world-class conference and banqueting facilities, a lavish shopping mall and a 267-metre office tower. This development created by the King Faisal Foundation, headed by HRH Prince Khaled Al Faisal, through its subsidiary Al Khozama Management Company, which is led by its Chairman, His Highness Prince Bandar Bin Saud Bin Khalid, winner of “World’s Leading Personality of the Year” at the 2010 World Travel Award.