By Bill Lucia | Editor
When the World Cup kicks off in Seattle in about a month, tourism in the city may be short of what hotel operators and others had hoped.
In Seattle, nearly 80% of respondents to a recent American Hotel and Lodging Association survey reported bookings below expectations, and behind a typical summer. It’s a similar story in other cities.
What gives? The soccer tournament is the biggest sporting event in the world.
One factor is that World Cup fans often book accommodations last minute. Another is that the earlier matches in Seattle will feature teams — including Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt and Iran — that typically don’t attract throngs of traveling fans.
There’s also the slump in Canadians crossing the border since President Donald Trump took office. Plus, high fuel prices due to the war in Iran are pushing up airfare.
Also in today’s edition…
Let’s Go Washington will push to get an initiative on the fall ballot to repeal the state’s new income tax.
And, why a disruption thousands of miles away, in the Strait of Hormuz, can cause a spike in U.S. fuel prices.
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Grass grows beneath lamps at Lumen Field on May 6, in Seattle. The stadium will host six matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
By Jake Goldstein-Street
The World Cup will take place in June and July, with 104 games scheduled in 16 cities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The scope and uniqueness of the event make it hard to forecast tourism in the first place.
On the upside for Seattle, the city will host soccer powerhouse Belgium and the U.S. team. And knockout round matches in July should be a draw.
Anthony Anton, president and CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association, noted that many Seattle-area hotels have struggled in recent years. “The industry is hurting, it’s been hurting, and a good summer is welcome,” he said. “And anything that happens above a good summer will be a blessing.”
Later today, Gov. Bob Ferguson will join King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and other officials to discuss World Cup transportation planning.
By Jerry Cornfield
Let’s Go Washington began gathering signatures Tuesday for a ballot initiative to repeal the state’s new income tax on high earners.
“We don’t care how you define it, income tax is illegal in this state. And the voters in the state have voted numerous times to ban an income tax,” Brian Heywood, founder of the conservative political committee, said yesterday at a news conference.
The group will have 51 days to gather and submit at least 308,911 valid signatures of registered voters to qualify its measure for the November ballot.
Top Democrats in the Legislature expected the move and voiced confidence the law would hold up. “I think voters will affirm what we did in Olympia this session,” said Rep. April Berg, D-Mill Creek, chair of the House Finance Committee.
The initiative was designed to keep in place various tax relief provisions tied to the income tax while repealing the tax itself. “We’re grateful that the Legislature was able to reduce some taxes,” Heywood said. “So we’re not repealing any of those things.”
By David Lightman
Gasoline prices are soaring across the U.S. amid shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz since the Iran war began. The strait is the major export route for oil produced by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain and Iran. But most of the oil goes to Asian markets. And, these days, the U.S. is importing less crude oil from the Persian Gulf. So why are prices here high?
“Supply disruptions anywhere in the world can also affect prices everywhere in the world because we live in a global market,” explained Jeff Lenard, a vice president of the trade group National Association of Convenience Stores. “Oil and refined products like gasoline are traded on the commodities markets. Places with short supply are willing to pay more for product. That drives up the global price.”
Washington’s gas prices Monday were second-highest in the country, after California, according to AAA. The average price for a gallon of regular in Washington was $5.76. In California, it was $6.16. Nationwide, $4.52. A year ago, the national average price for a gallon of gas was $3.14. Washington’s relatively high gas tax compared to other states and its cap-and-trade program add to prices here.
ICYMI
More legislative races to watch this year in WA | Jake Goldstein-Street and Aspen Ford
WA Supreme Court races shape up as income tax case looms | Jake Goldstein-Street
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