NEW YORK, June 20 -- The 2026 World Cup is showing a mixed tourism and hospitality picture across host cities, with early expectations of a major economic windfall increasingly tempered by weaker-than-expected demand.

In an article today, The New York Times (NYT) reported on the mismatch between consumer demand and the hospitality expectations on one of the biggest sporting events internationally.

In Vancouver, Alberta accountant Julie Rahaman nearly abandoned plans to attend after hotel rates spiked to as high as US$1,000 (RM4,138) a night.

"It gets to a point where it just feels ridiculous," she was quoted as saying.

She briefly considered skipping the match and selling her tickets after being priced out of accommodation.

She later...