TNW pick of the week: Investigate them all!

By: Melody Brandon ACCOMMODATION establishments guilty of price gouging during the 2010 World Cup should also be probed, demand outraged agents in the wake of this week’s announcement by the Competition Commission that it would be looking into domestic airlines’ alleged collusion. “Why are only airlines targeted? I received a quote from a five-star hotel in Cape Town. Their rates prior to the World Cup are R2 150 per single room per night, sharing. From June 9 the rate increases to R6 200 per night per single room. Do they not also fall under this category?” said Vanessa Janse van Rensburg, senior consultant All Travel Services, Johannesburg. Tanya Kitching, director of Island Safaris agreed: “It is not only airfares that should be investigated. I had clients booked into the Formula 1 at OR Tambo for the night of June 9. The budget hotel called me three weeks ago to tell me the price had increased by R1 000 per room per night and would I still like to keep my booking. What do you suppose my answer was? Certainly nothing I would like to put on paper!” The Competition Commission has told TNW that it can only investigate non-priority sectors like tourism if an official complaint is made. Meanwhile, TNW is compiling a list of the ‘Good Guys’, accommodation establishments that have made a decision to keep their prices at reasonable levels over the World Cup. But what is reasonable? Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) ceo, Michael Tatalias, said reasonable would probably be the high-season rate plus 50%. “Suppliers should not overestimate the appetite for consumers to pay over the odds to be at the event, but these fans do accept that prices will be higher than usual.” For more on this story refer to TNW February 10, 2010. Other headlines to look out for: • Beijing route depends on IASC approval – SAA • We’re ‘e-Watching’ you! • Airport charges rile all parties • ‘I’m here to stay’ – Virgin’s Newton Smith • Airlines must ‘play fair’