Football fans undeterred by Qatar World Cup controversy

Controversy surrounding Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup will not deter football fans from visiting the Gulf state to support their national team, reveals the World Travel Market 2014 Industry Report, released today (Monday 3 November).

Two-thirds of the travel industry (64%) say tourists will travel to Qatar to watch World Cup matches in eight years’ time. The statistics clearly show that negative and ongoing publicity over Qatar’s winning bid to host the event has not put them off attending the Beautiful Game’s most prestigious tournament. Nor are they concerned over warnings of excessive heat if the World Cup takes place in the height of summer.

A similar number of travel industry executives (65%) believe UK tourists will visit Russia in four years’ time when it hosts the 2018 World Cup. World Travel Market, Senior Director, Simon Press said: “Football fans are a hardy bunch who are prepared to travel far and wide to support their national team.

“There is still much pressure on the football authorities to switch to another host country in 2022 or move the tournament to the winter when temperatures are lower in the Gulf. “As the situation stands at the moment, fans are undeterred by the controversy over Qatar holding the 2022 World Cup and fears of excessive heat in the peak of summer.”