Visit KC Desperately Hopes For Late Surge & Blames MAGA For World Cup FAIL

Consider this a sneak peek at Kansas City's blame shifting strategy . . . 

Visit KC President and CEO Kathy Nelson addressed the booking figures Thursday at the organization's annual Tourism Outlook event, pointing to positive travel indicators she says show momentum is building.

"Increases from key international markets are substantial. The Netherlands have grown more than 100%, Argentina more than 650%, and Ecuador more than 1,100%," Nelson said.

Nelson acknowledged that current federal immigration policy has made the United States less appealing to some international travelers, but said the city's response is what matters most.c

"People show up, yeah, there's a little thing with politics going on that I cannot control, but what we can control is how we show up and how we welcome, and how we support this. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for us. We didn't work 10 years for this to be a flop," Nelson said.

Visit KC's research indicates international travelers from countries like Argentina typically don't book accommodations until about a month before travel. 

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Kansas City hotel bookings for World Cup lag; Visit KC expects late surge

Kansas City hotel bookings for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are among the lowest of all host cities, according to a report from the American Hotel and Lodging Association.