(ATR)Qatar 2022 World Cup organizers are exploring the idea of accommodating some football fans in Bedouin-style desert camps.
In its 2022 World Cup bid evaluation, FIFA described Qatar's accommodation proposals as "medium risk". More than 84,000 rooms were said to have been contracted at the time of the bid, exceeding FIFA’s minimum requirement of 60,000.
But FIFA warned back in autumn 2010 that the accommodation plan "heavily depends not only on the capacities of two candidate host cities but also on significant construction. The final number of accomplished projects would determine the number of supporters who could be accommodated."
Qatar 2022 revised the number of projected rooms down to less than 50,000 in January, sparking significant concerns about a shortage of accommodation.
Around 500,000 fans are set to visit the tiny Gulf nation to attend World Cup matches. Some of them may now be offered the chance to camp in desert locations close to host stadiums.
"At the heart of this World Cup is a commitment to showcase the hospitality and friendship of the Middle East," a Qatar 2022 spokesman told Around the Rings.
"As a result, we are actively researching the concept of supporters sleeping under the stars to ensure a truly unique World Cup experience in 2022," he said.
"We are working with all stakeholders to offer diverse accommodation and entertainment solutions for the duration of the tournament."
The plan not only serves to avoid the problem of overbuilding for the World Cup, leaving a legacy of unsustainable hotels, but also providing areas where fans can consume alcohol without upsetting locals in the conservative Muslim country where public drinking is banned.
The Qatar 2022 spokesman added that "all options are still being explored but we are excited by the possibility of supporters enjoying a range of accommodations designed for all needs, to celebrate the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.
"We remain on track to deliver the minimum number of hotel rooms required by FIFA."
Written by Mark Bisson
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