Tag Archives: sports tourism

Qatar Airways Holidays has launched exclusive fan travel packages for football supporters around the world to experience a spectacular week of elite international football in Doha during Qatar Football Festival 2026, headlined by the ‘Finalissima’ – a clash of football titans. The CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 and FIFA World Cup 2022TM champions, Argentina, will face UEFA EURO 2024TM champions, Spain, on 27 March 2026 at the iconic Lusail Stadium. The historic encounter will see two continental champions meet on the same pitch where Argentina famously lifted the FIFA World CupTM trophy in 2022. As the Official Airline Partner of the Finalissima 2026, Qatar Airways promises football fans an unmissable journey to one of the world’s most celebrated stadiums for a thrilling experience. As part of the football festival that will take place this March, Doha is set to host a series of international matches featuring some of world football’s most storied nations, including Asian Champions – Qatar, Argentina, Spain, Egypt, Serbia and Saudi Arabia, transforming the city into a global football hub just months before the FIFA World Cup 2026TM, for which Qatar Airways is the Official Airline Partner. Qatar Airways Holidays, the leisure division of Qatar Airways Group, is offering an incredible opportunity to experience the Qatar Football Festival with guaranteed Category 1 or 2 match tickets as part of three package types. The Finalissima Package features the highly sought-after Argentina vs Spain match, while other packages include additional matches along with Finalissima tickets. Enthusiasts can choose their preferred matches that are conveniently bundled with return flights and hotel accommodation in Doha. Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can use their Avios to book these packages, while also earning on …

According to Sports Tourists: Travelling with Passion, a white paper by GSIQ, a global sports and tourism insights agency and research partner of ATM 2026, frequent sports event travellers not only outspend traditional tourists but are also increasingly seeking premium, high-quality experiences. Highlighting the scale of the opportunity, the research also projects the sports tourism sector to representing a potential 63% increase in the number of people who intend to take a sports-related trip in the coming years in the coming years, delivering a substantial uplift for Middle East sports tourism, which PwC values at approximately US$600 billion, while globally, the market is expected to reach over US$2 trillion by 2030, redefining the shape of the global travel and tourism industry. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “By understanding the mechanics of sports tourism, destinations and tour operators can develop strategies to drive repeat visits, and attract new audiences. Ultimately, knowing what motivates sports fans to travel will determine how stakeholders meet evolving consumer expectations, to ensure sustained engagement and growth in this potentially lucrative market.” Sports tourists are primarily motivated by their passion for sport, but their travel decisions are strongly influenced by accessibility, affordability, quality and overall value. The white paper highlights that value remains a decisive factor, with 63% of respondents prioritising fair ticket and package pricing, particularly among newer sports travellers. Notably, while only 36% say a destination must already appeal to them, 41% are open to extending a sports-led trip into a longer leisure holiday. As a result, major sporting events act as a catalyst for destination growth, encouraging deeper exploration, longer stays and stronger word-of-mouth advocacy for host locations. Indeed, around 80% of …

At a special interview with TravTalkME, at the Week of the Stars in Sharjah, HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority shared the importance of the endorsement of FIFA as the platform reaches millions worldwide and the event also boosts the hotel occupation in the emirate of Sharjah, thereby boosting the economy. HE Midfa reiterated, “It is very important that we witness the fourth edition of Week of the Stars in Sharjah under the kind patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler and Crown Prince of Sharjah. This year, we have some significant new additions. Firstly, the International Football Federation, FIFA, has endorsed our event and the matches played by 36 international football legends who are with us in Sharjah for the coming days. Additionally, the main match on 11 January will be broadcast on the FIFA Plus platform, which reaches hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. This is another major highlight of our fourth edition. We also have the paddle tennis tournaments, which continue to grow with bigger names, more competition, and higher prize money. The football competition is also expanding. Overall, it is a full week of exciting competitions. Some matches are friendly, while others are scheduled rounds. Our priority is always to provide the best experience for our visitors, whether through sports, festivals, cultural events, or activities. Sports tourism, in particular, attracts a strong audience from both the UAE and abroad. Developing sports tourism—from the Grand Prix held a few weeks ago to this event—is a key focus for the Emirate of Sharjah and the SCTDA. Regarding stakeholders, the economic impact of hosting such events is significant. We see …

H.E Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, in a special gathering underlined Dubai’s growing commitment to integrating sport, tourism, sustainability and technology as the emirate prepares to host the World Sports Summit (WSS), positioning the event as a key driver of destination development and sports tourism. Addressing industry stakeholders, Belhoul emphasised that the future of sport extends well beyond football, calling attention to athletes, innovators and contributors across all disciplines who are shaping the wider sports ecosystem. He highlighted the strategic role of technology and sustainability as core pillars of the summit, reflecting Dubai’s broader vision for innovation-led growth. An interactive technology activation zone will be hosted alongside the main summit arena, allowing visitors to experience cutting-edge sports innovations—many supported and showcased by athletes themselves. Sustainability, Belhoul noted, will be embedded across discussions, experiences and programming, reinforcing sport’s responsibility in driving positive environmental and social impact. Belhoul also pointed to the complementary positioning of major global events taking place in Dubai on 28 December, including the Globe Soccer Awards and WSS Day Zero. While Globe Soccer focuses on football excellence, the World Sports Summit adopts a multi-sport, legacy-driven approach, celebrating long-term contributions across the global sports landscape. Crucially for the travel and tourism trade, Belhoul confirmed ongoing collaboration with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to create immersive experiences for athletes, delegates and their families. Timed during the peak holiday season, the summit has been curated to blend high-level dialogue with destination experiences—from desert adventures to New Year celebrations—strengthening Dubai’s appeal as a world-class sports and leisure hub. The World Sports Summit is positioned as one of the most exclusive global gatherings dedicated to shaping the future of …