Dubai (AFP) - A large screen on the upper deck of a three-story luxury yacht at sea is one of the options available to well-off people to watch the World Cup in Dubai, which is looking forward to reaping profits from the World Cup in neighboring Qatar.

The wealthy emirate relies on the short distance between it and Doha, its developed service sector, its hotels, and its relatively more open social laws in the Gulf, to attract fans who will have to travel and return at every match they want to attend.

At Dubai Harbor, a group of luxury boats and yachts is moored, preparing to receive visitors.

Among these yachts is the "Stardom", which includes a jacuzzi and a drinks bar in addition to luxury rooms, and is available for rent to World Cup fans for $ 20,000 per night. Fans will watch the matches at sea while the boat sails through the landmarks of the Emirate of Dubai, known for its tall buildings and advanced modern facilities.

"We have a chef on board who will prepare dishes (...) from all over the world," Jenny Thacker, marketing officer at Exclusive Yachts, told AFP. The company also provides services on the yacht upon request to customers.

The company offers a range of options for watching the World Cup, according to Thacker, who notes that "the minimum rental (yacht) is $15,000 per night to watch the World Cup at sea."

She adds that the company has so far received 15 reservations, and that the majority of reservations include two or three people.

She describes the people interested in the service as "really VIPs (..), owners of luxury cars, from the elite," explaining that the majority of reservations are for "semi-final and final matches" in the World Cup.

"more liberal"

Away from the beach, it was announced the opening of special areas for fans in various parts of Dubai, including a park for football fans in the Dubai International Financial Center, as well as luxury restaurants.

Many options are available for fans. For example, Dubai Harbor will host a fan festival in an area that broadcasts all matches, and extends over an area of 330 square meters. Tickets can be obtained starting from $21 per person.

But getting a table for eight people costs more than $ 920, while the so-called premium suite, which can accommodate 15 people, is sold for a package of up to $ 3,676, and the service includes serving alcoholic beverages.

Tourism is the lifeblood of Dubai's economy, known for its luxury hotels and resorts, and it received about 16 million tourists in 2019, compared to about 5.51 million in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic and 7.3 million last year.

James Swanston, economist at Capital Economics, believes that "the luxury of the Dubai market, and to some extent Abu Dhabi, makes them in a better position compared to the Gulf economies, with the exception of Qatar, to benefit from the World Cup."

"Activities supporting tourism such as hospitality, restaurants, retail and wholesale trade are likely to benefit the most," he told AFP.

According to Swanston, the UAE "enjoys a more liberal atmosphere compared to its Gulf counterparts, which makes it conducive to visiting tourists."

Dubai is famous for its skyscrapers and giant real estate and entertainment projects.

And the UAE announced that holders of the “Haya” card, which is intended for World Cup fans, will obtain a visa to enter and stay in the Emirates for a period of up to ninety days for only 100 dirhams ($ 27), with the possibility of extending it for an additional 90 days.

However, due to the economic slowdown and rising global prices, many of those who are not well off in Dubai will be content with a more economical option, such as watching the World Cup without costs.

Lebanese Tony, 36, who is a father of one child, says, "I will subscribe (to the streaming service that transmits the matches on TV) (...) and watch the matches at home."