This year’s Copa America has provided evidence enough that the relative success or failure of a tournament relies almost wholly upon the infrastructure that supports it.

Hosts Venezuela have developed a number of inventive ways by which to address key logistical event issues, not all of which can be solved by raising investment or increasing budgets – one such area being accommodation.

In an industry frequently opening itself up to a range of ideas at the cutting edge of technological innovation, its recent enlightenment to the concept of floating hotels is so simple in its proposing - not to mention its execution - that organisers are now exploring this expansive and still somewhat novel product as a genuine hosting solution.

With some units boasting capacities for up to 10,000 people, the football industry could be ready to take on board a concept that in Olympic terms was first touted way back in 1992, at the Summer Games in Barcelona.

Indeed, the small Norwegian town of Tromsö, which boasts a population of just 60,000, has already made the concept of the floating hotel a key part of its deliverance document to the International Olympic Committee as it puts forward its pitch for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.

Managing Director Erlend Rian says: “The solution with temporary hotel capacity based on floating hotels is a very important part of our campaign. Our business partners have been greatly involved in the process which has made it possible for us to create a sustainable accommodation concept.”

That concept has been bolstered in no small part by Martin Green, who in 2003 founded Floating Hotel AB, a temporary floating hotel operation and management company that contains a network of consultants, project managers and partners in the hotel and cruise ship industry, the world over.

“I saw the problem that occurred when there was a lack of accommodation especially during conventions, events and other larger arrangements in different cities” Green explains.

“And the solution was to create fast, reliable, efficient and temporary hotel solution onboard ships.

“Instead of building enormous hotels to cover a temporary demand which might only exist for a couple of weeks per year, our solution could actually create flexibility in the hotel supply industry. Hereby we could make it easier for a range of organisers to offer accommodation for their visitors, and at the same time contribute to a sustainable hotel market.”

As might be expected, the requirements and concerns of guests on floating hotels are very different to those of residents in standard land-based accommodation.

“The priority is the customer’s safety, security and privacy. The operation is now so polished that we work to a supreme standard, offer high-quality service, not to mention great comfort,” Green continues.

“To that end, our hotels are certified according to the global hotel safety and security standard set by Safe Hotel alliance and audited by Pinkerton Investigation.

“We see ourselves as a support for communities, cities and event organisers that are in need of extra hotel capacity. In all business we strive to create win-win solutions so it is of good importance across the board to create solutions for all involved.”

Green also explains how it has been the industry’s intention to offer flexible solutions within what is, in its very physical representation, a flexible and moveable product.

“Naturally, we are constantly looking at how to improve the process of how to create, open, operate and close temporary hotels. The hotels have between three to five stars and the solution is custom- made for every occasion, and one which creates a competitive advantage to any event bid,” he says.