Hotel owners in cities hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup are expressing deep frustration as the long-anticipated tourism surge has failed to manifest.
Despite initial forecasts predicting a dramatic rise in bookings, current figures indicate that room occupancy in key areas is falling short of expectations by 30 to 40 percent.
Industry experts suggest that high accommodation costs have deterred many fans, who instead opted for more affordable alternatives like Airbnb or decided against traveling altogether.
In response, local authorities and tournament organizers have pledged to refine their marketing strategies in hopes of attracting more visitors during the final weeks of the event.
This shortfall raises significant questions about the actual long-term economic benefits that hosting major international competitions provides to the hospitality industry.
