Thousands of World Cup fans are struggling to secure accommodations in Doha, Qatar, due to a lack of availability. The country has spent more than $200 billion on infrastructure and facilities, but there has been little progress on finding hotels and accommodation for the estimated 1.2 million fans. Thousands are turning to neighbouring countries for short-term stays, or opting for “fan villages” in the desert.
Ahead of the tournament, Qatar Tourism said that roughly 30,000 hotel rooms are available, but that more hotel rooms will be available closer to the tournament. The government has already committed to providing accommodation to up to 130,000 fans. It plans to open two former cruise ships as hotels in Doha, which will also offer accommodation to visitors. The hotels have a private beach and spectacular views of the Persian Gulf.
In addition to official hotels, Qatar Tourism plans to provide an online booking platform, similar to Airbnb. It will allow residents to rent out their homes to fans. This is likely to be popular with fans, who want to make the most of their time in Qatar.
Another option is to stay in a traditional Qatari tent. World Cup organizers are providing rooms for rent in fan villages. These villages are located on the outskirts of Doha and are accessible by public transport. They also offer a variety of on-site facilities. These include food outlets and a large tented dining hall. The Fan Villages also offer standard services, including two twin beds or a full-size bed for each guest.