Hotel owners expected a World Cup boom - so far it hasn't happened

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Hotel owners expected a World Cup boom - so far it hasn't happened12 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleArchie MitchellBusiness reporterCJ WashingtonDeidre Mathis said hoteliers thought the World Cup would be a "phenomenon"Walking the streets of Kansas City, Houston, Miami and New York it is hard not to notice a World Cup is coming. Billboards abound, there are signs outside bars and stores are churning out tournament-themed merchandise. But for hoteliers checking their booking systems, the buzz is more of a murmur.

The industry body says most hotels in World Cup host cities are seeing bookings lower than this time last year, and those who spoke to the said they were underwhelmed so far. "We were sold this expectation the World Cup would be a big phenomenon, people have been talking about it for years," said Deidre Mathis, who owns the Wanderstay Boutique Hotel in Houston, Texas. "So when we looked at our calendar and saw in February, March and April that we still weren't sold out - and it is not just us in Houston, but it's all over - we were left sitting here just very confused," she told the .

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The Wanderstay is a mile on foot from the Houston fan zone and a short drive from the stadium hosting Houston's matches. It is currently at 45% capacity for the period of the tournament, Mathis told the , compared with 70% for the same time last year. Getty ImagesMathis blamed the "political climate" during US President Donald Trump's second term in office, in particular immigration raids carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in cities across the country.

She also pointed to the rising cost of living in the wake of the US-Israel war in Iran, as well as the "phenomenally" expensive tickets to World Cup matches. Even Trump, an enthusiastic supporter of both the World Cup and Fifa president Gianni Infantino, has said he "wouldn't pay it either" when asked about the prices. Tickets for sale for the final at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium were officially offered at up to $32,970 (£24,540), while resale tickets have been listed for more than $2m.

"So I think it's a bunch of things, all combined into one," Mathis said. "But it is just so unfortunate, and I am hoping that in the next four weeks, things can be turned around. "Mathis urged Fifa to drop the ticket prices, as well as calling for the US government to expedite visa applications for fans hoping to attend.

World Cup transport prices cut after fan backlashThe $11k World Cup final ticket - what we learned from first open saleInfantino defends World Cup ticket pricesThe American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), which represents tens of thousands of clients from major hotel chains to independent B&Bs, found eight in 10 hotels in host cities are seeing lower demand than expected, warning the tournament has not translated into strong bookings.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.