Hotels warn World Cup bookings are far below expectations : NPR

Key Points:

• With six weeks remaining before the World Cup, hotel bookings in most host cities are significantly below expectations, with some areas like Kansas City experiencing lower bookings than typical summer months.
• The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) attributes the disappointing bookings to fewer international travelers and large cancellations by FIFA, despite over 5 million tickets sold for the tournament.
• Nearly 80% of hotel bookings across host cities are below initial forecasts, with Kansas City reporting 85-90% of hotels below projections, though Miami and Atlanta show stronger-than-expected bookings.
• The decline in international visitors is linked to tighter U.S. immigration policies, longer visa wait times, increased fees, and concerns about airport screening, making travel to the U.S. for the World Cup more complicated and costly.
• FIFA remains optimistic about record attendance, and the White House emphasizes the event's significance and commitment to safety, despite the current booking challenges faced by the hotel industry.