World Cup fans baulk at 'rip off' room prices

Ian Lawless. Photo / Supplied

Irish rugby fans are being urged to boycott "rip-off" Auckland hotels as rooms in the main centres previously held back for officials are made available to the public this week.

David Parks, of Positively Wellington Tourism, said many hotels posted their room rates 12 months ahead. This week they began offering reservations for rooms that wouldn't be needed by the World Cup "accommodation bank".

The Irish Daily Mail reported that Kiwis were "planning to fleece rugby fans as they hike their prices by up to 500 per cent".

Dermott Jewell, from the Consumer Association of Ireland, advised fans to boycott "unacceptable prices" of up to €900 ($1678) a night for accommodation.

"The sound advice is not to bother," he said.

The newspaper estimated a fan would have to pay up to €38,000 ($70,858) for their trip to New Zealand.

"And don't expect any help from their Government as Tourism Auckland said that providers are free to charge whatever they want for the event," the paper said.

Irish rugby fan Ian Lawless told the Herald on Sunday he was put off travelling to the tournament because of the price of accommodation.

"I'd been saving for a number of years to go but I had to knock the trip on the head because it is far too expensive."

He had been quoted €6750 ($12,592) for a package deal including flights, accommodation and tickets to five games.

Adding in "eating, drinking and having a good time" he estimated he would need €12,000 ($22,000).

"There were six of us intending to go and all of us have had to back out because mortgages are more important. The way the economy is over here money is scarce," he said.

He had searched accommodation providers in Auckland over the internet and had found prices next year would start at between $150 and $500 a night.

"It's a blatant rip-off. It turns people off and leaves a bad taste in your mouth."

The Mail reported one potential tourist was quoted €871 ($1625) a night at a B&B in Auckland, for a minimum 10-night stay.

This would mean a bill for €8710 ($16,250) for less than a fortnight's stay, before factoring in the cost of flights.

Meanwhile, the Hilton Hotel in Auckland was reported to be charging €925 a night ($1726) and also imposing a 10-night minimum stay.

Tourism Auckland chief executive Graeme Osborne said hotels were free to choose their rates but "reckless" and "ridiculous" prices would be damaging to tourism, driving potential business to other parts of the country or Australia.

But he also said reports had been "excessive and exaggerated" and were "genuinely unhelpful" to the industry.

Rugby NZ 2011 spokesman Mike Jaspers said he was confident fans would be able to find accommodation to suit their budget.

Motel rooms could be found for about $120 a night, he said. "I would encourage them to be flexible."