Fifa Returns Over 1 Million Room Nights for World Cup in Germany

Strategic Insights -

Fifa, football's world governing body, has returned more than 1 million room nights in Germany that it had reserved for the upcoming World Cup. The organisation had initially reserved 2 million room nights to sell to sponsors, dignitaries, and teams, but with less than a month to go before the tournament, it has sold less than 1 million rooms. This move has left German hotel operators with a significant amount of unsold room stock during what is expected to be the busiest month in the country's tourism industry.

Key Takeaways:

  • Fifa has returned over 1 million room nights in Germany, which were initially reserved to sell to sponsors, dignitaries, and teams.
  • Theorganisation had reserved 2 million room nights in total, but sold less than 1 million rooms, leaving a large amount of unsold stock.
  • German hotel operators are concerned about the impact of this move on their business during the World Cup, which is expected to be the busiest month in the country's tourism industry.
  • Hotel operators have issued an "open for business" plea to people thinking of visiting Germany during the World Cup, urging them to book rooms despite concerns about availability.
  • Fellow hotel chains like InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) support the effort, saying that "football fans may have missed out thinking Germany was sold out this summer, which is disappointing. But if they can get tickets they should be able to get rooms."
  • The World Cup could suffer from "sold out syndrome," where people don't try to book hotels because they think they won't be able to find one, rather than facing disappointment.
  • Hotel operators are worried that Fifa has let the German hotel industry down badly, citing similar experiences at past major sporting events such as the Athens and Barcelona Olympics.

Statistics:

  • Fifa returned 1+ million room nights in Germany.
  • The organisation reserved 2 million room nights in total.
  • Less than 1 million rooms were sold.
  • The World Cup is expected to be the busiest month in Germany's tourism industry.
  • InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) operates 64 properties in Germany.

Sources:

  • "Fifa hands back 1m World Cup hotel rooms" byMatthew Garrahan, London.