Qatar World Cup will be most luxurious yet, says hospitality firm boss

Doha, Qatar (AFP):

A company that sells exclusive FIFA packages to the well-heeled is predicting record sales for the World Cup in Qatar, but its owner insists the tournament will be “good value” for all fans.

Jaime Byrom, who has sold millions of hotel rooms over 10 World Cups, said wealthy supporters will be flocking to the tiny Gulf state from around the globe on private planes and yachts.

Byrom’s Match Hospitality has contracted 450,000 of the three million tickets for the tournament that starts November 20.

Packages range from $700 for a top ticket with a slap-up meal, to bills of a million dollars-plus for big groups staying in top hotels and watching several matches.

Byrom refused to give the highest prices for his Pearl Lounge at the Lusail Stadium, where the December 18 final will be held.

At the lounge’s 116 seats overlooking the halfway line, guests get special gifts, the food is prepared by Michelin-starred British chef Jason Atherton and the champagne flows.

The luxury at this year’s World Cup “will exceed anything that we have delivered before”, Byrom said.

Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger, Chinese tycoon Jack Ma, royals and supermodels have been regulars at recent World Cups.

And hospitality fees are a key earner for FIFA — $184 million for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, according to the world body’s accounts.

Byrom told AFP that Match will beat the record revenues and 230,000 packages sold in Brazil.

Wealthy football fans — especially from Gulf nations — will be flocking to the first World Cup in an Arab nation. The company said that revenues are already 29 percent higher than they were 100 days before the Brazil tournament started.