Qatar received just over 7,65,000 visitors during the first two weeks of the World Cup, according to an organisers’ report, falling short of the country’s expectations for an influx of 1.2 million during the month-long event.
A huge surge in visitors at this stage is unlikely with only eight teams staying on in Doha, and eight games left out of the 64.
Organisers had previously identified the peak period for international visitors to be November 24-28 during the busy group stage, when 32 teams were playing four matches every day.
The December 7 report was prepared by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, which organises the tournament, and said that the first 17 days of the World Cup saw 7,65,859 international visitors, more than half of whom have now left.
The report registered 1.33 million match ticket-holders and 3.09 million tickets sold across the eight stadiums in Qatar for the tournament that ends on December 18.
A Qatari official, who did not wish to be named, confirmed the figures. The organisers did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
The tournament in Qatar, the first to be held in the Middle East, is considered one of the most expensive in terms of tickets, hotels and alcohol, sales of which are restricted.
Fewer international visitors than originally forecast led to an unexpected glut of accommodation but has also averted major over-crowding or traffic headaches in Qatar, the smallest country by both population and area to host the World Cup.
Cumulative stadium attendance at the first 52 matches, the document said, was 2.65 million.
The influx of visitors represents a 25 per cent boost to the country’s resident population of 3 million, of which only about 10-12 per cent are Qataris.