Winnipeg hotels booked solid for FIFA Women's World Cup

It's still a few months away, but the hotel industry in Winnipeg says it's already running out of rooms for the FIFA Women's World Cup Soccer 2015 event in June.

Winnipeg is set to host seven matches at Investors Group Field during the Women's World Cup.

Jim Baker, president of the Manitoba Hotel Association, says he's not surprised that most of the bookings are coming from our neighbours south of the border.

"One of the key things is the American team is playing two games here, and there's been tremendous pick-up of rooms," Baker said.

The event is expected to generate millions of dollars for the city. Baker said 24 per cent of revenues will go to the hotel industry.

"That's going to bring a lot of business. The hotels are already booked quite solid for that time period," he said.

Baker hopes the sporting event, combined with the low Canadian dollar, will help boost tourism numbers from American visitors over the summer.

He said the city has more to offer this summer, including the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and the Journey to Churchill exhibit at Assiniboine Park Zoo.

"There's probably going to be families here for a good week, so they're going to be able to visit the city," he said.

Baker said many visitors who book late will likely have to stay in hotels outside of the city.

"If any of the Americans are slow in booking rooms, Grand Forks, North Dakota is just on our doorstep," he said. "I'm sure there's going to be lot of activity there; they have a lot of hotel rooms."

Winnipeg will host competition group matches on June 8, 12, 15 and 16.