Seattle Businesses Report Sales Slumps During World Cup Despite $845.6 Million Tourism Forecast
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 6
Seattle Businesses Report Sales Slumps During World Cup Despite $845.6 Million Tourism Forecast
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 6
Summary
Seattle shops, rentals and attractions say World Cup traffic has often failed to lift business, with one bakery dropping to a quarter of normal sales on a U.S. match day and the aquarium reporting weaker attendance.
Travel bans, tougher U.S. immigration enforcement, higher airfares tied to the Iran war, and FIFA hotel block bookings that pushed up room prices appear to have thinned international demand, including from Canadians.
Forecasts had promised a major boost: Visit Seattle cut its projected economic impact to $845.6 million from $929 million and still expected 750,000 visitors, while airport traffic has risen at least 3% since the tournament began.
The gains have been uneven—waterfront watch parties and soccer bars drew crowds, some hotels posted higher revenue despite softer occupancy, and museum footfall doubled at a free sculpture garden while its downtown site stayed flat.
Business owners say the mixed results also reflect Seattle's weaker local economy after tech layoffs, leaving doubts about how much lasting benefit the month-long tournament will deliver once the final match ends.