World Cup tourism jobs in U.S. fell 21,000 in May and June

The FIFA World Cup produced no net gain in U.S. leisure and hospitality jobs through June, according to the latest employment data. FIFA had forecast the equivalent of 185,000 full-time positions before the June 11 opening match. The five-week event drew more than one million visitors to 11 host cities. Employment in the sector instead fell by 21,000 positions in May and June combined.

Hotel performance mixed Hotels in host markets recorded a nearly 17 percent increase in revenue per available room during the week of June 21-27. Occupancy dropped nearly 3 percentage points from the same period a year earlier, CoStar data showed. An April survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Assn.

found that 80 percent of hotel operators in host cities reported bookings below expectations. Operators cited FIFA's release of unused room blocks, visa delays, and geopolitical tensions.

Local hiring patterns vary Payroll data from Gusto showed stronger hiring by entertainment and food businesses near stadiums in May. Employers farther from venues reported weaker results. One Los Angeles restaurant owner said reservations sold out on Argentina match days but chose to add shifts for existing staff rather than hire new workers.

A Kansas City bar owner who added five employees in May later stopped scheduling them after tourist traffic remained limited to the downtown entertainment district.