Dubai sets eye on FIFA Club World Cup to tap into tourism

The upcoming FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010, starting on December 8, could be a crucial time to boost Dubai’s tourism, tourism industry officials expect.

Even though the host and venue of football tournament is Abu Dhabi, visitors will most probably stay in hotels in Dubai, Emirates Airline has revealed. According to the airline, which offers flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, all the games of the tournament will happen at Zayed Sports City and Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium that are about 90 minutes’ drive away from Dubai.

With accommodations in Dubai and the matches taking place in Abu Dhabi, visitors will have a chance to explore these two stunning destinations, Russell Sheldon, senior vice president of network passenger sales development at Emirates Airline, was quoted as saying in the media.

As the tournament ends on December 18, 2010, hospitality sector and tour operators in Dubai are gearing up to make the most of it by giving spectators attractive offers.

It seems the global tourism industry is banking heavily on various sports events. Commonwealth Games that concluded last month in India fetched the nation an upsurge in foreign tourist arrivals by nine percent as compared to the same period last year.

Australia’s Newcastle that was recently ranked among world's top 10 must-see destinations recently hosted an exhibition match between local football team and LA Galaxy team in which David Beckham also participated. The beach city tourism authorities banked on it to show Aussie hospitality to the world, highlight the city’s famous spots and put international spotlight on Newcastle.