Kiwis ripping-off tourists

[scracha]

Why do Kiwi tourism operators see foreign tourists as walking piggy banks? Don't they realise these tourists will never come back and tell all their friends?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10643045

Tourists are paying more than $17,000 a week to stay in hotel rooms barely bigger than a prison cell during the Rugby World Cup - but Australian tour operators say other fans will be turned off because of exorbitant hotel prices.

Australian tour operator weloverugby.com says its clients are now asking about flying in and out of New Zealand on the same day as matches because they don't want to be ripped off.

The Hilton Hotel in Auckland had quoted prices of $1700 a night for a minimum 10-night stay during the cup, said weloverugby.com managing director Warren Livingstone. He claimed this was not an isolated case.

Yesterday, the Hilton refused to comment, saying it had not publicly released its prices.

Mr Livingstone said other hotels had increased their rates by 400 per cent and some by up to 1000 per cent.

Herald inquiries yesterday confirmed that hoteliers were lifting their prices - but some said tour operators such as Mr Livingstone were charging even more.

A week-long stay at the All Seasons Hotel in Wyndham St, central Auckland - which has rooms barely bigger than a prison cell - would usually cost about $550.

But this has been lifted to $2700 a week for the cup next year - about $385 a night.

A larger $17,544 seven-night package at the All Seasons - which includes tickets to the cup semifinals, bronze final and final - is being offered by Mr Livingstone's company.

All Seasons staff member Kenji Chien said the hotel usually charged about $79 to $89 for a room, per night, but prices were bumped up for big events in the city.

The three-star hotel does not have room service, but each room has a small TV, a radio, kitchenette facilities including a microwave and fridge, an iron and board, as well as a "nice balcony and view", Mr Chien said.

The hotel, which has 144 rooms, is booked out for the Rugby World Cup.

Mr Livingstone predicted cup attendance by international fans could be the lowest his firm had handled for such a big event.

"Rugby fans want to travel to New Zealand next year. It is one of the great rugby tour destinations in the world, but I think the organisers need to look at a solution."

Establishment of an "accommodation bank" to centralise booking arrangements for cup visitors had been a good idea, Mr Livingstone said, but the hotels involved were over-charging.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Hpeens every where else in the world... good to get your own back at times...

[Mom]

Also not new. All hotels operate a fleece the public policy if there is a big event near them. Rock to Wellington was a case in point, we booked months in advance and the prices were heavily increased for that weekend. Lucky we found a hotel that had not entered a flag on their software for that weekend and managed to get a room at "normal" rates. It is business, the market will dictate whether it is fair or not, though I doubt there will be many empty rooms come the World Cup.

[Toaster]

It is simple supply and demand. Of course prices go up to meet high demand for special events. Businesses exist to make a profit for their shareholders/owners. If businesses over-price then they may stall demand - it is a simple balance game all businesses play to raise turnover, occupancy, margins and net profit.

Speaking of which.... the old petrol is sure getting up there! Ouch.

[Number One]

Well if they are smart they will look at that website where people are renting their houses out to world cup goers. You can get a full gorgeous house for just on a week I think for around $17K.

Heck if the people staying weren't munters it could be a good little earner for AKL folks!


THIS isn't the one I was thinking of but it's the first one I found...AND another

[Mom]

Well if they are smart they will look at that website where people are renting their houses out to world cup goers. You can get a full gorgeous house for just on a week I think for around $17K.

Heck if the people staying weren't munters it could be a good little earner for AKL folks!

Did you see that B&B last night on the news? $1600 per room per night, min stay 10 nights. They have 5 rooms to rent Spitting distance from the stadium.

[CookMySock]

Don't they realise these tourists will never come back and tell all their friends?

You don't have any evidence to support that.

Even if they made a direct threat, you cannot be swayed by what the customer says. Customers are very good at manipulating retailers by making all sorts of horrific statements, but they can and do come back.

Steve

[Swoop]

I am just soooooooo glad that ratepayers are being taxed, so that others can make a healthy profit.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Fucking rugby shits me to tears. Completely now that it just another failing Kiwi brand. The only rugby I approve of is my friends kids under 6's. Hopefully they will all take up soccer or motocross soon.

I am seriously considering going overseas next year while the stupid thing is on. Having said that hopefully there wont be too many munters in chur chur for it: all the "action" will be in Orkers.

[Tank]

You don't have any evidence to support that.

Even if they made a direct threat, you cannot be swayed by what the customer says. Customers are very good at manipulating retailers by making all sorts of horrific statements, but they can and do come back.

There is fucken tons of evidence to support that.

People who are not happy with service / products DO moan and generally dont make the same mistake twice. Look at all the KB threads along about "dont use XYZ - coz I was ripped" - some people will listen and custom is lost because of it.

Personally - I dont think that they will get the $$$ they are looking for. People smart enough to have 17k to drop for a weeks accommodation are smart enough to see that the room is small and the hotel second (or third) rate.

Put it this way - if there were two ice cream trucks side by side at an event. One was selling a cone for $3 and the other for $890. Who do you think will get the second round of ice creams?

[avgas]

Should be interesting. I wonder how much the Mt Eden Prison cells are going for?
70K a year!!!!!
So turns out that figure is not too over-inflated - when compared to the NZ Prison system.
So chances are all the noisy fuckers will be able to stay here for free - on the tax-payer

[Thaeos]

I'm sure they'll do fine... people are willing to pay it. Same as when they go to the movies. The snacks are overpriced by 200% - 300%, yet people keep paying for them - even the minority that mention the steep price still pay.

[slofox]

And, of COURSE, I bet Mr Liviingstone never rips anyone off...

[nodrog:Me]

.....Put it this way - if there were two ice cream trucks side by side at an event. One was selling a cone for $3 and the other for $890. Who do you think will get the second round of ice creams?

the one that didnt look like a creepy sexual predator.

[firefighter]

Why do Kiwi tourism operators see foreign tourists as walking piggy banks?

The same reason overseas operators see kiwi tourists as walking piggy banks.

In Las Vegas you can actually get a residency card, so you pay local rates. I know this as my Dad lives there, and yes, I was with him paying up to 40% less for things using his residency card.