ON THE RISE

The number of high-profile events and international sporting tournaments taking place in the Middle East is ushering in a new era of tourism in the region

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

FIFA World Cup

Dubai World Cup

Even before Dubai welcomed visitors to the first World Expo to ever be held on Middle Eastern soil in 2021, the region was beginning to gain the world’s confidence as a competent host of major global events. In 2004, Bahrain made history as the first Gulf nation to host the renowned Formula One race, with Abu Dhabi following in its footsteps only a few years later in 2009 to host the final lap of the Formula One racing season.

But it’s not just major sporting tournaments that have drawn the world’s attention to the Middle East (although they continue to feature heavily on the region’s calendar). In the last few years, countries around the GCC have played host to a number of high-profile events, including cultural festivals, art exhibitions and fairs, concerts, political gatherings as well as business conferences.

A recent report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed that the direct contribution of travel and tourism to the Middle East’s GDP is predicted to rise by 4.2 per cent per annum to US$133.6 billion by 2028. This increase is driven in part by additional tourists to the region as a result of major events taking place in the GCC, which, over the last decade, have significantly grown in number. And while Expo 2020 Dubai became one of the largest events to ever be held in the Middle East, it was only the beginning of a booming industry in the region.

POISED TO TAKE OFF

Situated at the crossroads of the east and west, the geographical advantages of the Middle East are well understood. Major metropolises around the region are well connected to the world via air routes while important coastal hubs help facilitate international trade. The GCC countries are also characterised by their world-class infrastructure, easy access to the latest advancements across all sectors and, most importantly, a youthful, tech-savvy demographic that champions innovative thinking. And it is these attributes that will soon deliver some of the most exciting developments currently taking shape.

The winds of change are also fuelled by the new visions developed by countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain to diversify their economies and build a future that is less dependent on oil.

In Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030 has set aside US$64 billion to invest in culture, leisure and entertainment projects over the next decade. In the UAE, new strategies, such as Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to attract 23 million tourists annually by 2030, and Ras Al Khaimah’s mission to welcome three million visitors each year by 2030, are already in place. Following suit, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait are working equally hard to redirect their efforts towards tourism development and attract an increasing number of visitors annually.

And while these nations are already reaping the benefits from their individual efforts, they are also working together to collectively become the next global powerhouse by further developing tourism infrastructure and enhancing regional connectivity with new transportation projects, all with the aim of attracting more global events that will eventually contribute to a rise in visitor numbers.

A PACKED AGENDA

Expo 2020 Dubai recorded more than 24 million visits during its six-month run from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, with 192 countries in attendance. And the country is now preparing to host another international gathering with the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference set for 2023. Representatives from close to 200 nations will descend on the UAE capital to address the economic fallout of climate change and explore solutions to the problem.

The next major milestone, however, takes place later this year, with Qatar hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022. A total of 32 nations will compete for top honours at the event as the country aims to bridge the gap between the Middle East and the western world through sport. Beyond the football tournament, the nation hopes to continue attracting international sporting events and is further developing its infrastructure to this end.

In Saudi Arabia, since the country began welcoming the world with its enhanced visa policies in 2019, mega concerts featuring some of the world’s biggest artists, cultural fairs as well as sporting events, from Formula One to horseracing, have already begun attracting an increasing number of visitors.

Closer to home, Abu Dhabi, having won the title of the Middle East’s Leading Sports Tourism Destination for two consecutive years, is proving its might. The last few years have seen the emirate host the Special Olympics World Games in 2019, the FINA World Swimming Championships in 2021, the international Jiu-Jitsu Championships, the Ultimate Fighting Championship and more. The 2022-23 season is already hotting up as the first-ever NBA Games and the inaugural UAE T20 League are set to take place.

The region has gained the world’s confidence as a competent host of major events

With an increasing number of international entities choosing the GCC countries to host these global events, other organisations have shown their rising trust and confidence in these nations’ abilities to plan and implement high-calibre international events. And as for the region, the Middle East is not keen to rest on its laurels as it continues to chart a bright path forward, investing more in its infrastructure and manpower to attract more events, and, therefore, contribute to overall tourism. NBA Games

FINA World Swimming Championships

Mark your diaries

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

 Abu Dhabi  November 17 to 20, 2022

FIFA World Cup 2022

 Qatar  November 20 to December 18, 2022

World Triathlon Championship Finals

 Abu Dhabi  November 23 to 26, 2022

UAE T20 League

 Abu Dhabi  January 6 to February 12, 2023

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

 Dubai  February 13 to 19, 2023