scholarly journals Soft Power and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar: Learning from Experiences of Past Mega-Sporting Event Hosts

تجسير ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-193
Author(s):  
Mehran Haghirian ◽  
Paulino Robles-Gil

The experiences of past hosts to mega sporting events like the Olympics, or FIFA World Cup games show that there are numerous ways in which countries can be both empowered or disempowered through their pursuit of soft power. Through a selective literature review, this paper uses the relevant soft power experiences of six countries who have hosted either the World Cup or Olympic Games from 2008. The cases include China (Beijing 2008 Olympics), South Africa (2010 World Cup), United Kingdom (London 2012 Olympics), Brazil (2014 World Cup and Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics), Russia (Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, and 2018 World Cup), and Japan (Tokyo 2020 Olympics). The paper then considers Qatar’s 2022 World Cup with an angle on applying and adapting the experiences of past hosts to understand the soft empowerment or disempowerment that Qatar will likely face as a result of hosting the games. The numerous international concerns over the situation with migrant workers in Qatar, and the Islamic and cultural norms that are alien to Western audiences, will continue to challenge Qatar’s image management and branding measures. Nevertheless, the commitment to holding the most eco-friendly event, continuous presence on international soccer fields through sponsorships, ownerships, and winning championships, in addition to actively seeking to enhance and alleviate the status of the country on the global stage will help Doha in its soft empowerment endeavors in the period before and during the event. Its pledge and dedication to keeping a long-lasting legacy after December 2022 will also help the State in the post-event phase of soft empowerment.

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Zack Bowersox

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] International sporting events like the Olympics and FIFA World Cup generate a great deal of attention for the athletes, the games, and for the nations that host these events. Hosting can be very prestigious for a nation, yet not all hosts are apt to be strict observers of international norms regarding human rights and human security. In these instances, the tourists who travel to see the event, and the media that broadcasts it, are better able to observe the poor behavior of a state who would rather use this opportunity to increase its international standing. Are host nations apt to improve their behavior for the sake of an international sporting event? Are they more responsive to the international criticism of their behavior when hosting an event? This research finds that states are in fact more responsive to international rights criticism, and, for the duration of the event are better observers of human rights. Yet, this positive effect is only apparent for the duration of the event.


2017 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert A. Barreda ◽  
Sandra Zubieta ◽  
Han Chen ◽  
Marina Cassilha ◽  
Yoshimasa Kageyama

PurposeThis study aims to examine the impact of a mega-sporting event “2014 FIFA World Cup” on hotel pricing strategies and performance. Design/methodology/approachThe present project examines the host regions’ response to the 2014 FIFA World Cup which was established by the variance in the main hotel key performance indexes: occupancy, average daily rate, revenue per available room (RevPAR) and supply. Using data gathered from STR, this research distinctly shows how the Brazilian host regions reacted to the World Cup. FindingsResults suggest that the key performance indicators of Brazil’s lodging sector reacted differently to the World Cup. Although all hosting cities experienced significant RevPAR growth because of the increase in hotel room rates during the event, the supply and occupancy performed differed from each city. Research limitations/implicationsResearch is limited to the case of hotel performance at the country level for mega-events. The study focused on the reaction of revenue managers in the Latin America context. Other contexts may generate different results. Practical implicationsThe study helps revenue managers to examine how the FIFA World Cup travel demand affected pricing strategies and revenue management practices in the Brazilian hotel sector in areas undergoing seasonal growths in overnight tourism. This study serves to inform hoteliers and practitioners about revenue management pricing strategies to improve hotel performance during mega-sporting events. Social implicationsThis study reveals that the benefits brought by a mega-event are not always translated into strong hotel revenue performance. This study highlights an important but understudied research area of revenue management pricing strategies and the effect of mega-sporting events in the hotel sector. This study contributes to the literature as one of the few investigations to benefit hotel pricing strategies and overall revenue performance. Originality/valueThis study is one of the few studies about exploring the reaction of revenue managers during the execution of a mega-sporting event. The value of the present study lies in the fact that the authors extend previous studies examining the impact of the most important sporting event in the hotel industry at the country-level perspective. This study serves to inform hoteliers and practitioners about revenue management pricing strategies to improve hotel performance during mega-sporting events.


2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 587-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Dolles ◽  
Sten Söderman

AbstractFor the first time in the history of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), the football (soccer) World Cup held in Germany 2006 specifically addressed environmental concerns. By doing so, the German Organizing Committee did not have the objective of creating a short-term vision, but rather of making a long-term and lasting contribution to the improvement of environmental protection in hosting a mega-sporting event. By taking the football world cup in Germany as a case study, we will provide insights into the so-called ‘Green Goal’ programme and its four main areas: water, waste, energy, and transportation. From a global point of view, climate protection was added by the Organizing Committee as the fifth area of action and was recognised as a cross-sectorial task. Finally, questions are addressed on how to apply those measurements in the planning and organisation of other mega (-sporting) events.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 1295
Author(s):  
Khalifa Al-Dosari

This study sought to find how significant mega sporting events to a country are beneficial insofar as infrastructural development is concerned. The study used the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as the case study in reference. Various researches around the concept of infrastructure development due to mega sporting events were analysed in this study. The evidence of infrastructure development due to mega sporting events was also dissected and presented in the study. The research was conducted with the help of online survey questionnaires, and the data collected was analysed by using descriptive statistics as well as an OLS regression analysis. The variables measured were infrastructural developments in the country to find the significance of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It was found that the 2022 World cup significantly affects the development of infrastructure in the country. It was therefore concluded that major sporting events are significant in the development of infrastructure of a country. It’s recommended that the research should be used for future references in the analysis of infrastructural changes due to major sporting events.


Author(s):  
A.Yu. Bryukhanova ◽  
◽  
K.A. Manuilova ◽  
A.S. Garkovenko ◽  
V.L. Arkhipova ◽  
...  

Statement of the problem. Today, promotion and development of volunteers’ activities is considered one of the priority areas for the youth and social state policy. The importance of studying volunteer activities is explained by the fact that soon a number of large-scale events will take place on the territory of our country and the city; experienced and qualified volunteers will definitely come in handy to organize and carry out them successfully. The purpose of the study is to identify the features of the work of volunteers at a major sporting event. The research methodology is based on the analysis of literary sources; questionnaires; methods of mathematical data processing. Research results. The categories of people who are engaged in volunteer activities were identified; functional areas that are most in demand were established; the experience and competence of volunteers at this event was assessed; the factors that induce volunteers to participate in the organization of a major sporting event were identified. Conclusion. In the course of the study, the features of the work of volunteers at major sporting events were identified. The reasons for the emerging difficulties associated with the communication of the volunteer staff with athletes and spectators are identified, and the problems of organizing volunteer support at the venue are analyzed. The factors of motivation for youth participation in volunteer activities are considered.


2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 587-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Dolles ◽  
Sten Söderman

AbstractFor the first time in the history of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), the football (soccer) World Cup held in Germany 2006 specifically addressed environmental concerns. By doing so, the German Organizing Committee did not have the objective of creating a short-term vision, but rather of making a long-term and lasting contribution to the improvement of environmental protection in hosting a mega-sporting event. By taking the football world cup in Germany as a case study, we will provide insights into the so-called ‘Green Goal’ programme and its four main areas: water, waste, energy, and transportation. From a global point of view, climate protection was added by the Organizing Committee as the fifth area of action and was recognised as a cross-sectorial task. Finally, questions are addressed on how to apply those measurements in the planning and organisation of other mega (-sporting) events.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 1295
Author(s):  
Khalifa Al-Dosari

This study sought to find how significant mega sporting events to a country are beneficial insofar as infrastructural development is concerned. The study used the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as the case study in reference. Various researches around the concept of infrastructure development due to mega sporting events were analysed in this study. The evidence of infrastructure development due to mega sporting events was also dissected and presented in the study. The research was conducted with the help of online survey questionnaires, and the data collected was analysed by using descriptive statistics as well as an OLS regression analysis. The variables measured were infrastructural developments in the country to find the significance of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It was found that the 2022 World cup significantly affects the development of infrastructure in the country. It was therefore concluded that major sporting events are significant in the development of infrastructure of a country. It’s recommended that the research should be used for future references in the analysis of infrastructural changes due to major sporting events.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Nasser AL-Dosari Khalifa

Purpose: This study sought to analyse and determine which of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals will be impacted by the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Methodology: To achieve this, the study adopted an innovative approach and used ordinary linear regression as opposed to conventional logic models applied for such studies. The quantitative data collected was analysed using the SPSS version 25 for data analysis through the use of descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages as well as measures of central tendency such the mean. The target population that gave this data comprised of 100 respondends from the Qatari population, who were clustered into six categories through a multistage sampling design. The clusters included; migrant workers, Qatari nationals working with the government or the private sector, business people, experts in matters related to the SDGs under study, Government departments, and private practitioners such as lawyers. Findings:The study found that respondents anticipate and cited possible Sustainable Development Goals that will be achieved as a result of preparation and actual hosting of the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar. These Goals were; Better Health and Wellbeing of all, Gender Equality, Sustained, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth, Full and Productive Employment and Decent Work for all, Improved Infrastructure, Promotion of Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialisation and Fostering Innovation, Peace and Justice for all), and Partnerships as a means of achieving the SDGs. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy:The study recommends that Qatar should leverage on the advantage of being World Cup hosts to achieve these sustainable Development Goals, and even more.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 267
Author(s):  
Twila-Mae Logan ◽  
Eritha Huntley Lewis ◽  
Clive Scott

This study examines changes in international tourist arrivals in Melbourne, Australia after the 2006 Commonwealth Games, and tourist arrivals in Jamaica after the 2007 Cricket World Cup matches to answer the questions: do international arrivals increase as a result of hosting a large sporting event, and how long is the impact sustained over the post-event period? Using data prior to the Games, autoregressive models with independent variables were used to model these series. The differences between the actual and predicted series after the Games were attributed to shocks caused by hosting the Commonwealth Games. In the Australian case, the results indicate that after the Games, international arrivals were marginally higher than before the Games. In the Jamaican case, the data indicate that while there was an increase in international tourist arrivals for the event, the international tourist arrivals from non-traditional countries increased after the World Cup Cricket matches.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 135-146
Author(s):  
E. V. Kolokoltseva

The paper addresses the issue of the genesis and the evolution of the conceptual formation of the official attitudes toward the principles governing the representation of the Russian Federation and their scientific covering. It appearance in key foreign policy documents and its significance is analyzed with the view to two major conceptual schemes: the international image and the objective perception. Both concepts were examined with comparative research methods. The problems of tracing the current transformations in the official rhetoric to the transformations that are now taking shape in promoting Russia are the factors why this issue is relevant. The particular aspects of the research included the key documents of official bodies endowed with powers to shape foreign policy that were published in the period between 2000 and 2019. The activities of the key institutions and content providers in what concerns international positioning were outlines. Holding and covering mega-events, such as the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, also served the image needs and, in this respect, was examined in the paper. The concept and method of soft power is introduced for analysis, as it is increasingly efficient and useful in both these respects. The paper concludes with stating that the practice of positive positioning of Russia abroad was substituted in favour of the one of engendering objective perception. The main concern for that consisted in foreign pressure and negative information campaigns, so the decision was a counter measure. In this context, the shift between the two concepts of international promotion is revealed in official documents, having a considerable effect on the communicative potential in terms of acting in accordance with the fundamental values and real attitudes inherent in the Russian culture. Esse quam videri is now not only the national principle, but also the foreign image.


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