No World Cup Bump

Hosting the World Cup doesn't guarantee an overall increase in visitors.

GOOD DAY, READERS.

New government data show World Cup travel wasn't enough to offset inbound tourism declines in June. Global Tourism Reporter Bailey Schulz and Associate Editor Rashaad Jorden report that total overseas visitor arrivals fell 1.8% year-over-year in June, while arrivals by air barely moved — up just 0.2%.

There were winners: UK arrivals jumped nearly 17%, with both England and Scotland taking part in the tournament. But those from other markets took a hit, including South Korea (down 30.9%) and Germany (down roughly 20%).

Hotel occupancy rates in a number of host markets have been down, but hotels have reported gains in revenue per available room.

Skift Global Forum

A World Cup summer that leaves inbound arrivals sliding is the clearest sign yet that reading demand now matters more than chasing it. The leaders recalibrating around exactly this volatility, the CEOs of Hilton, Booking Holdings, Expedia, and Accor, take the Skift Global Forum stage September 22–24 in New York City.

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