Visit KC Boasts EPIC Tourism & Denies World Cup Travel Risks

No matter who locals feel about politics, this is fact . . .

TRAVEL FROM EUROPE TO U.S. HAS DRAMATICALLY DECLINED!!!

There is all manner of theories on this topic but it's not unreasonable to contend that shifting politics and more rigid immigration policies have some impact on these numbers. 

Even better . . .

TKC REPORTING ON THE TOURISM SLUMP THREAT TO KANSAS CITY'S WORLD CUP HAS GARNERED A REACTION BUT SADLY NOT A SOLUTION!!!

Credit to local newsies for at least asking leaders about the problem . . .

First a look at hype for recent numbers overall . . . 

VisitKC reported record levels of business travel in 2024. 523 events helped fill nearly 528 thousand hotel room nights. That travel accounted for $370 million in economic impact. They also shared that visitors planned 326,000 incremental trips to KC, bringing in another $283 million in spending.

And then . . . Notice a dearth of detail regarding the threats of dwindling returns moving forward.

Check-it: 

Concerns that the number of international travelers might decrease in 2025.

“There's always concerns, no matter what the situation is with the federal government,” VisitKC President and CEO Kathy Nelson said.

“It is concerning. There's no doubt when you see numbers that are declining instead of growing.”

Despite the concern, Nelson says the occasion is not being taken for granted.

“We can’t take this for granted. We’re going to be a year out in June,” she said.

Her goal is that international travelers come to a place that they probably haven’t been before.

“They may have been in Miami or New York or L.A., but they don't know what Kansas City is,” Nelson said.

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

Kansas City looking ahead to '26 World Cup tourism, revenue

At VisitKC's Annual Tourism Outlook on Wednesday, they shared the details of visitors and investment for 2024, as well as looking ahead to future events, like the 2026 World Cup.

Visit KC: 2024 sees slight, steady increase in Kansas City tourism

Visit KC unveiled the 2024 Tourism Outlook at their event Wednesday night with CEO and President Kathy Nelson explaining it's a slight, steady increase compared to last year.

Developing . . .