Hotel operators in the 11 U.S. cities hosting the World Cup are reporting that advance room bookings have not met initial projections, according to an April survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. In cities including Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle, a majority of hotel operators indicated bookings were running below typical seasonal demand levels. In other major markets such as New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston, booking activity remained flat compared with regular spring and summer periods.
Hotel industry representatives attributed the softer-than-expected demand to several factors. International travelers have expressed concerns about visa wait times and the costs associated with attending tournament events, including high ticket prices and transportation expenses in certain markets. The association also noted broader travel hesitancy among international fans.
Many hotels raised nightly rates substantially following the tournament schedule announcement, with some properties near major venues significantly increasing prices. A hotel near MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, for example, raised rates from approximately $200 per night to $800 around match dates, with costs reaching over $1,300 ahead of the final. Industry observers suggested seasoned tournament travelers were likely waiting for prices to decline before booking, pointing to historical patterns where inflated rates eventually drop closer to events.
Short-term rental platforms are capturing some of the tournament-related demand, with regions around several host cities reporting increased bookings on Airbnb and similar services compared with the prior year. Airbnb indicated total guest numbers during the tournament are expected to surpass initial projections and exceed participation during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Some industry officials remained optimistic about eventual turnout. Authorities in Kansas City and Vancouver indicated expectations for business to accelerate closer to the tournament dates. A hotel company CEO noted that overall occupancy at its host city properties was up compared with the previous year, though properties in cities with more prominent matches were outperforming those in markets with less in-demand games. Over 5 million of the anticipated 6 million available tickets have sold through the survey period.
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