Kansas City Hotels Struggle with World Cup Bookings as FIFA Cancels Room Blocks
Nearly 80% of host-city bookings are below forecasts, according to the American Hotel and Lodging Association survey, as FIFA cancellations and weak international travel weigh on demand.
- On Tuesday, the American Hotel and Lodging Association released a survey showing hotel bookings in the 11 United States cities hosting the FIFA World Cup are tracking below initial expectations, with nearly 80% of respondents reporting shortfalls.
- Around 65% of respondents cited visa barriers and broader geopolitical concerns for suppressed demand, while hoteliers reported that mass room cancellations by FIFA created an 'artificial early demand signal' that misled forecasts.
- In Kansas City, 85% to 90% of hotels reported bookings below projections, even lagging behind typical summer rates, though Atlanta and Miami showed stronger-than-expected figures.
- Responding to the report, FIFA defended the room releases as 'standard practice,' noting more than 5 million tickets sold, while White House spokesman Davis Ingle stated last week that President Donald Trump is focused on ensuring a secure event.
- AHLA President Rosanna Maietta warned that while the United States' 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence was expected to boost tourism, the U.S. and FIFA must ensure a welcoming experience to realize potential.
13 Articles
13 Articles
About a month before the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico (11 June to 19 July) there seems to be nothing to be noticed about the big fan rush in the United States. Hoteliers are sounding the alarm ... Forbes, for example, reports that according to a survey by the US hotel association "American Hotel & Lodging Association", 80 percent of the hotels in the eleven host cities are disappointed by the current booking situation. Above all, the …
Only the anger about expensive World Cup tickets, now the tourism industry is also complaining: So far football fans in the USA seem to be holding back with bookings. The hotel operators mention clear reasons.
'Non-event': World Cup hotel bookings lagging far behind expectations, survey shows
US President Donald Trump has frequently touted the country's host status for world football's centrepiece event, but he has also launched a wide-ranging crackdown on visas for visitors to the United States.
About one month before the start of the tournament, reservations in many places are below expectations. An industry association sees several reasons for this.
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