The problem Vancouver is seeing is that Fifa brings batshit insane rules with it.
The city isnt allowed to host any other major events or conferences while the world cup is happening, so even local farmer’s markets are forced to pause in some locations to prevent any competition.
As a result, hotel bookings are down roughly 7%. In part because the massive block Fifa itself held made them all think it was going to be crazy busy so they jumped prices. Then Fifa released 15,000 hotel rooms in their block in late March.
And worse, there is exactly one official event to watch and hang out. For the Olympics in 2010, there were free events anywhere they could place them, it was a fantastic experience.
Here are some of the conditions Enquête uncovered in a September 2020 report from Quebec’s Tourism Ministry. For context, keep in mind that the World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19:
No events, activity or programming would be allowed at the Olympic Stadium between April 25 and July 19, 2026.
Fields used for the FIFA World Cup could not be used for other purposes for a period of 23 months, from September 2024 to July 2026.
FIFA would have access to Parc Jean-Drapeau and the city’s Old Port from May 22 to July 17 of this year to organize events.
“No major sporting events” would be allowed in Montreal in the week prior to the World Cup’s final game as well as the week that followed it.
Major Montreal events that could’ve been compromised by such restrictions include the F1’s Canadian Grand Prix, the Jazz Festival, the Montreal Triathlon and the Francos de Montréal festival.
The problem Vancouver is seeing is that Fifa brings batshit insane rules with it.
The city isnt allowed to host any other major events or conferences while the world cup is happening, so even local farmer’s markets are forced to pause in some locations to prevent any competition.
As a result, hotel bookings are down roughly 7%. In part because the massive block Fifa itself held made them all think it was going to be crazy busy so they jumped prices. Then Fifa released 15,000 hotel rooms in their block in late March.
And worse, there is exactly one official event to watch and hang out. For the Olympics in 2010, there were free events anywhere they could place them, it was a fantastic experience.
This is one of the reasons Montreal backed out.
(cbc.ca)