EDITOR'S COMMENT
• It was a great experience meeting so many innovators, disruptors and thought leaders in the short-term rental industry in person at the VRMA International Conference in Las Vegas [you can view my key takeaways from the event here]. That said, it is not the only global event that merits our attention as the spotlight quickly turns to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the first in the Middle East.
By the time the footballing extravaganza kicks off in less than three weeks, Qatar is hoping to draw more than a million visitors to the Gulf state, on top of a huge global TV audience, which could mark a watershed moment and a catalyst for sports tourism in the region. An eye-watering investment in infrastructure and advertising campaigns spearheaded by sporting superstars such as David Beckham has seen some big hospitality players enter or expand their presence in Qatar, as it aims to welcome six million visitors a year by 2030.
Qatar will become the smallest nation by land size ever to stage the tournament, and concerns have justifiably been raised about its capacity to hold such an event for the number of people organisers are anticipating. Earlier this year, the country’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy said Qatar would deliver up to 130,000 rooms - including hotels, shared apartments and villas, traditional bedouin tents in the desert and 'floating hotel' cruise ships [fans will also travel over from neighbouring states] - as accommodation demand hits record levels when four matches are held per day in the group stage.
However, the World Cup's staging in Qatar has also drawn criticism from human rights campaigners, who say that the deaths of migrants working on stadium construction have been vastly under-reported and that people in the LGBTQ+ community will have their rights suppressed in the state. Qatar may be pinning its hopes on a successful tournament acting as a shop window to the world but it will have to address legitimate questions in order to build a sustainable, long-term major tourism industry.
• Our next RockSTRz webinar tomorrow [1 November, 4pm GMT] will take us in a different direction as we explore "Timeshare, fractional ownership and membership clubs: making a comeback?". It is shaping up to be a timely and popular session as I'll be joined by Mike Kennedy [KOALA], Tim McLaughlin [RCI], Ali Nichols [Getaway] and Caroline Pappas [Mint House]. Don't miss out on this no-cost webinar - sign up now at this link.
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