In the next few days, Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup event that will be recognized as the most luxurious ever held.Over the last ten years, Qatar has invested over two billion dollars in the construction of FIFA World Cup infrastructure. More than 2.5 million tickets for the FIFA World Cup have been sold in Qatar, which has a population of 3.8 million people. One can only imagine the challenges that will exist in attempting to organize such a massive event in such a small nation as Qatar. On the other hand, Qatar has worked on the improvement with self-assurance and seems to be defeating all of the odds.However, the inability to provide fans with accommodations that are within their price range is the problem that has received the most attention.Most of the budgeted options were already booked and hence not available. Whereas, as per our investigation, private real estate companies in Qatar blocked apartment rooms for last-minute bookings at bigger profits for stays during the FIFA World Cup.
Private real estate companies in Qatar blocked apartment rooms for last-minute bookings at bigger profits for stays during FIFA world cup
If rooms are available, why those are not open to Public for a stay during FIFA world cup. Is this the greatest policy lapse? Well it seems like the same. We have uncovered that domestic and international real estate companies have leased many apartment building years ago. This policy was also used by companies during Russia FIFA world cup, however it was justified then, as there were many options for fans. For a tiny city like Doha, where all the FIFA world cup matches are being played, isn’t it a false policy ? when millions of football fans are struggling finding the accommodation.
According to our sources, there are still a significant number of apartment complexes whose rooms have never been made available to fans. The businesses are still waiting for the day to arrive when prospective fans will be willing to pay the sum that is being requested because they will have no other choice left.
The prices for few of these apartments, which were just recently made available to fans by these private companies, begin at $500 USD per room, per night for a one-bedroom apartment with a bathroom.Comparing it with Russia, it is too expensive. In Russia, fans were able to get rooms for 80 USD per night.
Does this mean that Qatar never intended to make this world cup affordable for middle class fans ?
Qatar authorities have always said that they are taking sufficient actions to provide budgeted option of accommodation to fans.They have borrowed 3 cruises, built fan villages and approved local residents to host foreign fans at their residence. They have rented three cruise ships, constructed fan towns, and gave permission to locals to welcome visiting fans from other countries at their homes.
However, none of these strategies are capable of resolving the problem of providing reasonably priced housing for fans searching for it at the moment.The news that fans are reselling the tickets because they are not able to afford the cost of accommodation during FIFA period in Qatar.
Qatar should have thought about these issues before letting private companies block the apartment buildings for heavy profits. According to estimates, more than 200 buildings have not yet been approved and will not be available for booking until the very last minute, at which point wealthy fans will have to spend a substantial sum for a place to stay. It implies that middle class fans are not even in picture.
Was Qatar and FIFA mot aware of this situation ? Why there was no policy of keeping a check on the prices these real estate companies are asking for stay during FIFA world cup ? Why these companies are allowed to block these units, when people are struggling to get availabilities. LestacIndia has raised this issue and authorities should answer it.
Many says, the authorities knew that this situation will arise, but they never were making this even for a normal FIFA fan. It was only for Rich, who can afford to pay and spend millions of Dollars.
Additionally, it is common knowledge that Qatar has shelled out an enormous sum on infrastructure, and the average football fan is not likely to make a significant contribution toward recovering those costs for Qatar.
Summary of the Article
- Private real estate companies in Qatar blocked apartment rooms for last-minute bookings at bigger profits for stays during FIFA world cup If rooms are available, why those are not open to Public for a stay during FIFA world cup.
- Does this mean that Qatar never intended to make this world cup affordable for middle class fans ?
- Qatar authorities have always said that they are taking sufficient actions to provide budgeted option of accommodation to fans.
- The news that fans are reselling the tickets because they are not able to afford the cost of accommodation during FIFA period in Qatar.
- According to estimates, more than 200 buildings have not yet been approved and will not be available for booking until the very last minute, at which point wealthy fans will have to spend a substantial sum for a place to stay.
- In order to make it luxurious, Qatar has made FIFA world cup unaffordable
