High Prices and Visa Woes Dampen World Cup Travel Boom

With the World Cup kickoff just hours away, the expected surge in travel and tourism has failed to materialize. Sky-high hotel prices and stringent visa requirements have kept many fans from attending group stage fixtures. The usual electric atmosphere around stadiums is subdued, as the anticipated lineup of traveling supporters remains sparse. Local businesses that bet on a windfall are facing empty rooms and quiet streets. As the knockout rounds loom, organizers hope for a late influx, but ea...