Hotel chiefs are blaming a slump in international visitors for World Cup bookings on a ‘Trump slump’ as key venues, such as Boston where England play Ghana, have not seen the expected economic boost
US hotel chiefs are blaming a ‘Trump Slump’ for a downturn in bookings for the World Cup.
Key venues such as Boston, where England take on Ghana on June 23, have not seen the expected economic boost from the tournament. It is claimed that international visitors have been put off travel to the US.
Now, an expert in hospitality has said that he would be “surprised” if there was a last minute boost of international fans travelling to the US because of “the way everything is now”. And one hotel chief revealed that World Cup room holds have been returned, ‘without a single reservation’.
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Alan Fyall, professor at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, told Forbes business magazine: “I would be surprised if there’s a big influx of international fans at the last minute this time. It’s not so easy to get here at the last minute, the way everything is now.”
Jan Freitag, a national director at CoStar, the industry analytics firm, warned: “We are seeing much more muted optimism about the hotel results.” Harry Carr, Pivot Hotels & Resorts’ senior vice president, said FIFA returned some of the company’s room-block holds ‘without a single reservation’. He added: “We are much less bullish about the World Cup than we were three months ago.”
HRI Lodging’s Bay Area hotels chief commercial officer Lior Sekler, said the demand for reserved room blocks has been “very lacklustre”. Only 15 percent of FIFA’s reserved rooms were picked up.
Fans’ groups have criticised the soaring costs of tickets and hotels. Some host cities are not holding fan fests. The Football Supporters Association (FSA) described the costs of the World Cup – including the most expensive final ticket – as ‘absolutely staggering’.
Spokesman Thomas Concannon said: “It comes as no surprise after everything that has happened over the last few months. But the price final ticket is still absolutely staggering. I don’t know any supporters who can afford that. It is beyond the reach of ordinary fans.”
The FSA, which represents around 600,000 supporters across the UK, has been on a fact finding mission to the States and Mexico. Trains to the Boston venue, where England play Ghana on June 23, are rising from $20 to $80.
Garford Beck, 64, of London, has hardly missed an England game since 1980 and this summer will be his 8th World Cup. He manages the England fans’ team, which held a minute’s silence for former FA Chairman Lord David Triesman a their last game.
He warned that working-class fans were being ‘taken to the cleaners’ on everything from match tickets to shirts. He said: “They give so much to the game, yet the door is being closed on them. It is incredibly sad.”
New Jersey has dropped plans to hold one.
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