Hotel reservations in the United States associated with the FIFA World Cup are significantly below industry forecasts, according to a survey released Monday by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA). With five weeks until the tournament kicks off, 80% of respondents from 11 host metropolitan areas, from New York to Los Angeles, reported bookings tracking below initial projections.

Approximately 65% of total respondents cited visa barriers and broader geopolitical concerns as factors suppressing demand. “A range of factors have tempered early optimism, though forward indicators show there is still meaningful opportunity ahead,” said AHLA President Rosanna Maietta. “To fully realise that potential, the US and FIFA must ensure a welcoming and seamless experience for international travellers.”

The US is co-hosting the tournament with Mexico and Canada. The first match is scheduled for June 11 in Mexico City, with the final to be played in New Jersey on July 19. US President Donald Trump has frequently touted the country’s host status, but his administration has also launched a wide-ranging crackdown on visas for visitors to the US.

The Trump administration has assured FIFA that it will facilitate visas for ticket holders, but every applicant will still face strict vetting. Fan groups have also expressed concerns about high ticket prices, price gouging on the secondary market, and transport costs associated with attending matches.

In Kansas City, bookings were so far below expectations that they lagged below normal rates for June and July. In Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle, many respondents described the tournament “as a ‘non-event’,” the report said. Hoteliers also reported that mass room bookings by FIFA, many of which have since been cancelled, “created an artificial early demand signal”.

Source: www.aljazeera.com