US Hotels See Low Demand for World Cup Amidst High Prices and Political Concerns
A recent report by the American Hotel and Lodging Association reveals that a majority of U.S. hotels hosting the 2026 World Cup are experiencing lower-than-expected booking demand. Approximately 80 percent of surveyed hotels in host cities reported bookings trailing initial forecasts, with several cities like San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia, and Boston seeing over 70 percent of respondents express similar concerns. This underwhelming demand suggests the anticipated economic boost from the tournament may fall short of projections, prompting some properties to delay investments related to the event. Factors cited for this trend include visa barriers, geopolitical concerns, and inflated costs associated with travel and accommodation, despite FIFA’s claims of unprecedented global demand.
John Q. Hosedrinker