Sports tourism makes for oil economy shrinkage in GCC

体育旅游导致海湾合作委员会（GCC）石油经济萎缩

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have recognised the potential of sports tourism as a pivotal economic driver.

海湾合作委员会（GCC）国家已经认识到体育旅游作为关键经济驱动力的潜力。

The region aims to diversify its economy away from oil dependency and attract foreign visitors, and a way they have done that is by hosting major international sporting events.

该地区的目标是实现经济多样化，摆脱对石油的依赖，吸引外国游客，而他们实现这一目标的方法之一就是举办大型国际体育赛事。

But how effective has this strategy been, and what implications does it have for the future of tourism in the Gulf?

但是，这一战略的有效性如何，它对海湾地区旅游业的未来有什么影响？

Sports tourism involves traveling to experience or participate in sporting events, and it has gained significant traction in the GCC, particularly in countries like Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia.

体育旅游是指体验或参与体育赛事的旅行，在海湾合作委员会，特别是在卡塔尔、阿拉伯联合酋长国（阿联酋）和沙特阿拉伯等国，体育旅游已经获得了巨大的发展。

These countries are investing heavily in sports infrastructure, branding themselves as premier destinations for international sporting events.

这些国家正在大力投资体育基础设施，将自己打造成国际体育赛事的首选目的地。

The success of this initiative is evidenced by high-profile events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the UFC events in Abu Dhabi, and the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

在卡塔尔举办的国际足联世界杯、在阿布扎比举办的终极格斗锦标赛以及在巴林和沙特阿拉伯举办的一级方程式大奖赛等备受瞩目的活动都证明了这一举措的成功。

“Having had the privilege of serving as the UK minister of sport, tourism and heritage, I have witnessed first-hand how investment in sports can transform a nation’s global standing, and I look admiringly at how the Middle East is exemplifying this with remarkable ambition. “From the monumental 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, a turning point that spotlighted the Gulf’s capacity to host large-scale sporting events, through to the Grand Prixes embedded into the F1 calendar, and the suite of world class tournaments, international perceptions of the region are being challenged and changed, highlighting new visitor opportunities,” said Dame Tracey Crouch, Hanover Sport managing director.

“我曾有幸担任过英国体育、旅游和遗产大臣，亲眼目睹了体育投资如何改变一个国家的全球地位，我非常钦佩中东如何以非凡的雄心壮志来体现这一点。”汉诺威体育公司总经理特蕾西-克劳奇女士说：“2022 年卡塔尔足联世界杯是一个转折点，凸显了海湾地区举办大型体育赛事的能力，从这一转折点开始，F1 大奖赛和一系列世界级赛事都已纳入赛历，国际社会对该地区的看法正在受到挑战并发生改变，同时也彰显了新的游客机会。"

What are the economic benefits of sports tourism?

体育旅游的经济效益有哪些？

The impact of sports tourism on the GCC economy is multifaceted. Firstly, hosting major sporting events attracts large numbers of international visitors, generating revenue through hotel bookings, dining, transportation, and shopping.

体育旅游对海湾合作委员会经济的影响是多方面的。首先，举办大型体育赛事吸引了大量国际游客，通过酒店预订、餐饮、交通和购物产生收入。

For instance, the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar saw an influx of over a million visitors, significantly boosting local businesses and employment.

例如，2022年卡塔尔足联世界杯吸引了超过100万游客，大大促进了当地企业和就业。

In the UAE, particularly in Dubai, the annual Formula 1 Grand Prix attracts thousands of tourists who come to enjoy the race and the accompanying festivities. This not only enhances the city’s global image but also contributes to its goal of becoming a leading tourism hub.

在阿联酋，特别是在迪拜，一年一度的一级方程式大奖赛吸引了成千上万的游客前来享受比赛和伴随的庆祝活动。这不仅提升了城市的全球形象，也有助于实现其成为领先旅游中心的目标。

“From an economic perspective, hosting global events allows the GCC countries to position themselves as attractive destinations for international business and leisure alike, and the expectation is that with exceptional thinking about delivery, many more ‘mega events’ will materialise.

“从经济角度来看，举办全球盛事使海湾合作委员会国家能够将自己定位为对国际商务和休闲活动都具有吸引力的目的地，而且人们期望，通过对举办活动的卓越思考，将有更多的'大型活动'得以实现。

“The inter-connectivity between sport and tourism in the GCC, will, without doubt, contribute significantly to the growth of the region’s non-oil sectors, supporting long-term economic diversification away from hydrocarbons,” added Crouch.

克劳奇补充说：“海湾合作委员会体育和旅游业之间的相互联系无疑将大大促进该地区非石油部门的增长，支持远离碳氢化合物的长期经济多样化。”

Sports tourism contributes to infrastructure development. To prepare for these events, GCC countries invest in stadiums, transportation networks, and hospitality facilities, which have long-term benefits for both residents and tourists.

体育旅游有助于基础设施的发展。为了准备这些活动，海湾合作委员会国家投资体育场，交通网络和接待设施，这对居民和游客都有长期利益。

For example, Qatar's extensive investment in its metro system ahead of the World Cup is expected to serve the country well beyond the tournament.

例如，卡塔尔在世界杯前对其地铁系统进行了大量投资，预计在世界杯结束后仍将为该国提供良好的服务。

Andrew Baturin, CMO at UAE- based business travel platform Tumodo talked about how this effects economic growth saying,

阿联酋商务旅行平台 Tumodo 的首席营销官安德鲁-巴图林（Andrew Baturin）谈到这对经济增长的影响时说，

Does sports tourism attract foreign investment?

“体育旅游吸引外资吗？”

The GCC’s focus on sports tourism has also attracted foreign investment. Companies from around the world are eager to capitalise on the growing sports scene, leading to partnerships that enhance local expertise and expand offerings.

海湾合作委员会对体育旅游的重视也吸引了外国投资。来自世界各地的公司都渴望利用不断发展的体育产业，从而建立合作伙伴关系，增强当地的专业技能，扩大产品范围。

The UAE, with its robust sports ecosystem, has become a hub for sporting events, including the UFC Fight Night and international cricket tournaments. These events not only bring in revenue but also showcase the region’s capabilities to host world-class events.

阿联酋拥有强大的体育生态系统，已成为体育赛事的中心，包括终极格斗锦标赛格斗之夜和国际板球锦标赛。这些赛事不仅带来了收入，还展示了该地区举办世界级赛事的能力。

FIFA, UFC, and F1

国际足联（FIFA）、终极格斗锦标赛（UFC）和 F1

The FIFA World Cup in Qatar was a landmark event, marking the first time the tournament was held in the Middle East. The event placed Qatar on the global sports map, bringing with it a wave of interest in the region. The World Cup generated approximately $6 billion (Dh22 billion) for the Qatari economy, showcasing the potential of sports tourism.

在卡塔尔举行的国际足联世界杯是一个具有里程碑意义的事件，标志着世界杯首次在中东举行。这一事件使卡塔尔登上了全球体育地图，并引起了该地区的兴趣。世界杯为卡塔尔经济创造了约60亿美元（220亿迪拉姆），展示了体育旅游的潜力。

Similarly, the UFC events in Abu Dhabi have positioned the emirate as a central player in the combat sports arena.

同样，在阿布扎比举办的终极格斗锦标赛（UFC）也将阿布扎比酋长国定位为搏击运动的中心。

The UFC has committed to hosting more events in the UAE, contributing significantly to the local economy through tourism, sponsorship, and merchandise sales. The events draw international audiences and bolster Abu Dhabi's reputation as a sports capital.

UFC 已承诺在阿联酋举办更多赛事，通过旅游业、赞助和商品销售为当地经济做出巨大贡献。这些赛事吸引了国际观众，提升了阿布扎比作为体育之都的声誉。

The Formula 1 Grand Prix has been another game-changer for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

一级方程式大奖赛又一次改变了巴林和沙特阿拉伯的游戏规则。

“The Kingdom [Saudi Arabia] has already played host to some of the biggest and most renowned sporting events globally including F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, FIFA Club World Cup, UFC Championship, and more. These sporting events have resulted in a major influx of domestic and international fans as well as tourists to the venue, enhancing further the robust local ecosystem,” said Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO of Saudi Arabian travel company Almosafer.

“沙特阿拉伯王国已经举办过一些全球最大、最知名的体育赛事，包括 F1 沙特阿拉伯大奖赛、国际足联俱乐部世界杯、终极格斗锦标赛等。沙特阿拉伯旅游公司 Almosafer 首席执行官 Muzzammil Ahussain 说："这些体育赛事使大量国内外球迷和游客涌入赛场，进一步增强了当地强大的生态系统。

The races not only attract F1 enthusiasts but also promote the broader tourism appeal of the countries. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, launched in 2021, is part of the country’s Vision 2030 strategy to diversify its economy away from oil and enhance its global presence.

这些赛事不仅吸引了 F1 爱好者，还提升了这些国家更广泛的旅游吸引力。沙特阿拉伯大奖赛于 2021 年启动，是该国 “2030 愿景 ”战略的一部分，该战略旨在实现经济多元化，摆脱石油依赖，提高全球影响力。

“The GCC region is fast emerging as a major global sporting hub buoyed by state-of-the-art infrastructure, greater accessibility and investment-friendly government policies contributing to its transformation into an attractive sports destination.

“海湾合作委员会地区正在迅速成为一个主要的全球体育中心，其最先进的基础设施，更大的可达性和投资友好的政府政策有助于其转变为一个有吸引力的体育目的地。

“Sporting events are central to Saudi Arabia’s ambitious tourism goals on the back of Vision 2030 with its focus on economic diversification, attracting both domestic and international tourists in huge numbers.

“体育赛事是沙特阿拉伯在2030年愿景背后雄心勃勃的旅游目标的核心，其重点是经济多样化，吸引了大量的国内和国际游客。

“Revenue from sports events within Saudi Arabia is expected to have a projected market volume of US$272.6 million (Dh1 billion) by 2028 as per Statista [an international statistics tracker]” added Ahussain.

Ahussain 补充说：“根据 Statista（国际统计跟踪机构）的数据，到 2028 年，沙特阿拉伯体育赛事的收入预计将达到 2.726 亿美元（10 亿迪拉姆）”。

Challenges

挑战

While the prospects for sports tourism in the GCC are promising, challenges remain. The region's warm climate can deter visitors during some months, especially during the summer months. However, strategic scheduling of events during cooler months and the development of indoor venues are mitigating this issue.

虽然海湾合作委员会的体育旅游前景看好，但挑战依然存在。该地区温暖的气候可能会在某些月份阻止游客，特别是在夏季。然而，在凉爽的月份进行活动的战略安排和室内场馆的发展正在缓解这一问题。

While major events draw attention, the GCC countries must ensure they offer a holistic tourism experience. Cultural experiences, heritage sites, and recreational activities are essential to keep visitors engaged beyond the event itself. Countries are starting to recognise this need; for instance, Qatar's National Museum and the UAE's Louvre Abu Dhabi have become integral parts of their tourism offerings.

在大型活动吸引眼球的同时，海湾合作委员会国家必须确保提供全面的旅游体验。文化体验、遗产地和娱乐活动对于让游客在活动本身之外继续参与其中至关重要。各国已开始认识到这一需求；例如，卡塔尔的国家博物馆和阿联酋的阿布扎比卢浮宫已成为其旅游产品不可或缺的组成部分。

“Beyond the obvious economic impact, sports events also drive tourism by showcasing a country’s cultural and natural assets. While many might paint the GCC with one broad stroke, each country is unique in its own regard and thus has excelled in its own way.

“除了明显的经济影响外，体育赛事还通过展示一个国家的文化和自然资产来推动旅游业的发展。虽然许多人可能会用一种笼统的方式来描绘海湾合作委员会，但每个国家都有自己的独特之处，因此都以自己的方式取得了优异成绩。

“Using events to slowly but surely transform destinations into becoming synonymous with sport while remaining an international tourism target with much more on offer.

“利用赛事，缓慢但稳步地将旅游目的地转变为体育的代名词，同时保持国际旅游目标地的地位，并提供更多服务。

“Tourists who come for a high-profile sporting event often stay to explore the cultural and leisure experiences on offer, and vice versa. The challenge is how to promote the whole package harder and faster if the GCC are to meet their ambitious plans,” added Crouch.

“前来参加高规格体育赛事的游客通常会留下来探索文化和休闲体验，反之亦然。克劳奇补充说："如果海湾合作委员会要实现其雄心勃勃的计划，面临的挑战就是如何更努力、更快地推动整个一揽子计划，”克劳奇补充说。

The effectiveness of sports tourism as a strategy for the GCC is apparent in several key areas:

体育旅游作为海湾合作委员会战略的有效性在几个关键领域显而易见：

1. Increased tourist arrivals: There has been a notable rise in the number of international tourists visiting the GCC for sports events, with many returning for additional experiences, according to an analysis by consultancy firm Roland Berger.

1.游客增加：根据咨询公司罗兰贝格（Roland Berger）的一项分析，前往海湾合作委员会参加体育赛事的国际游客数量显著增加，许多游客会再次前往，以获得更多体验。

2. Economic diversification: The influx of tourism revenue helps to reduce reliance on oil, contributing to the broader economic diversification goals of these nations.

2.经济多样化：旅游收入的流入有助于减少对石油的依赖，有助于这些国家实现更广泛的经济多样化目标。

3. Brand recognition: Hosting major events enhances the global profile of the GCC countries, promoting them as viable destinations for international tourism beyond sports.

3. 品牌知名度： 举办大型活动可提升海湾合作委员会国家的全球形象，使其成为体育以外的国际旅游目的地。

4. Local engagement: The success of these events has fostered a growing local sports culture, with increased participation in various sports among residents and a sense of national pride.

4. 当地参与： 这些活动的成功举办促进了当地体育文化的发展，居民参与各种体育运动的人数增加，民族自豪感也随之增强。

“In 2020 Abu Dhabi, named the world’s leading sports tourism destination for eight consecutive years by the World Travel Awards, hosted the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009 and the UFC's Fight Island.

“2020 年，阿布扎比将连续八年被世界旅游奖评为世界领先的体育旅游目的地，自 2009 年以来，阿布扎比大奖赛和终极格斗锦标赛的格斗岛均在此举办。

“By focusing on sports tourism and such major events like World Cup, etc, GCC countries are successfully diversifying their economies and attracting high-spending international visitors and business professionals,” added Baturin.

巴图林（Baturin） 补充说：“通过重点发展体育旅游和世界杯等大型赛事，海合会国家成功地实现了经济多元化，吸引了高消费的国际游客和商务专业人士。”

As the GCC continues to invest in sports tourism, the region is likely to see an evolution of its tourism landscape. Future plans include the establishment of more sports complexes, academies, and training facilities aimed at nurturing local talent and promoting long-term engagement in sports.

随着海湾合作委员会继续投资于体育旅游，该地区的旅游业可能会发生变化。未来的计划包括建立更多的体育场馆、学院和训练设施，旨在培养当地人才，促进长期参与体育运动。

As global sporting organisations look to expand their reach, the GCC is well-positioned to become a go-to destination for future international events, such as the Asian Games and various World Championships in different sports.

随着全球体育组织希望扩大其影响力，海湾合作委员会完全有能力成为未来国际赛事（如亚运会和各种体育项目的世界锦标赛）的首选目的地。

Sports tourism has emerged as a vital component of the GCC’s economic strategy. By effectively leveraging major sporting events, the region is attracting international visitors, boosting local economies, and fostering a vibrant sports culture. As the GCC countries continue to innovate and enhance their tourism offerings, the future of sports tourism in the region looks promising, potentially reshaping its economic landscape for years to come.

体育旅游已成为海湾合作委员会经济战略的重要组成部分。通过有效利用大型体育赛事，该地区吸引了国际游客，促进了当地经济发展，并培养了充满活力的体育文化。随着海湾合作委员会国家不断创新和加强旅游产品，该地区的体育旅游前景看好，有可能在未来几年重塑其经济格局。