One big question for North America travel is: how strong travel demand will be for the FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in just a few weeks. This year the matches are being played in cities throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and at the beginning of the year expectations among destination marketing organizations and hotels was very high -- and then it seemed to taper off a bit. 

In this episode we’re talking with editor in chief Johanna Jainchill and Eric Hanson, the senior vice president and head of government relations at U.S.’ prime travel advocacy organization, the U.S. Travel Association, about some of the issues facing inbound U.S. travel. Among our subjects: The unique attributes of World Cup travel, the calls for travel boycotts, perception versus reality when it comes to U.S. travel and the importance of getting Brand USA back on its funding feet.

This episode was recorded May 11and has been edited for length and clarity.

Episode sponsor: 

This episode is sponsored by Tourism Cares https://www.tourismcares.org.

Related reports:

Cover story: The U.S. is playing on a global stage https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Playing-on-a-global-stage-World-Cup

Hotel trade group says World Cup demand is below expectations https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/World-Cup-demand-is-below-expectations

U.S. Travel Association condemns travel advisory issued for World Cup https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Government/US-Travel-condemns-travel-advisory-issued-for-World-Cup

U.S. Travel Association: https://www.ustravel.org

One big question for North America travel is: how strong travel demand will be for the FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in just a few weeks. This year the matches are being played in cities throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and at the beginning of the year expectations among destination marketing organizations and hotels was very high -- and then it seemed to taper off a bit.&nbsp;
In this episode we&rsquo;re talking with editor in chief Johanna Jainchill and Eric Hanson, the senior vice president and head of government relations at U.S.&rsquo; prime travel advocacy organization, the U.S. Travel Association, about some of the issues facing inbound U.S. travel. Among our subjects: The unique attributes of World Cup travel, the calls for travel boycotts, perception versus reality when it comes to U.S. travel and the importance of getting Brand USA back on its funding feet.
This episode was recorded May 11and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor: 
This episode is sponsored by Tourism Cares&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tourismcares.org">https://www.tourismcares.org</a>.
Related reports:
Cover story: The U.S. is playing on a global stage <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Playing-on-a-global-stage-World-Cup">https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Playing-on-a-global-stage-World-Cup</a>
Hotel trade group says World Cup demand is below expectations&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/World-Cup-demand-is-below-expectations">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/World-Cup-demand-is-below-expectations</a>
U.S. Travel Association condemns travel advisory issued for World Cup <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Government/US-Travel-condemns-travel-advisory-issued-for-World-Cup">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Government/US-Travel-condemns-travel-advisory-issued-for-World-Cup</a><a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Playing-on-a-global-stage-World-Cup"></a>
U.S. Travel Association: <a href="https://www.ustravel.org">https://www.ustravel.org</a>

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors explore ideas, share experiences and provide insight into what they’ve uncovered while reporting on some of the biggest trends in travel.

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors explore ideas, share experiences and provide insight into what they&rsquo;ve uncovered while reporting on some of the biggest trends in travel.

Hosted by Rebecca Tobin, managing editor of Travel Weekly

The Folo by Travel Weekly

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors take a deep dive into the biggest travel story of the week. 

In each episode, we invite invite our team of journalists and their trusted sources to delve into major travel trends that industry insiders, or just travelers, want to know about.  

You may be wondering: Why the Folo? Well, a folo -- f o l o -- is a journalism term, a kind of shorthand that basically means to follow a breaking news story with more in depth reporting and analysis. And at the Folo podcast, that's what we do. 

Hosted by Travel Weekly managing editor Rebecca Tobin.

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors take a deep dive into the biggest travel story of the week.&nbsp;
In each episode, we invite invite our team of journalists and their trusted sources to delve into major travel trends that industry insiders, or just travelers, want to know about. &nbsp;
You may be wondering: Why the Folo? Well, a folo -- f o l o -- is a journalism term, a kind of shorthand that basically means to follow a breaking news story with more in depth reporting and analysis. And at the Folo podcast, that's what we do.&nbsp;
Hosted by Travel Weekly managing editor Rebecca Tobin.