World Cup Prices

IN July we were in Pietermaritzburg visiting our parents and took the opportunity to do some forward planning for next year: a family reunion, when our daughters with their husbands will be joining us to visit and attend a few of the 2010 Soccer World Cup games.

We thought we would try to find a place close by to stay and we were recommended the new Regal Inn Xpress in Scottsville, which is only five minutes from our parents. We visited the inn and asked for prices for next year and were quoted R420 for a double room per night, which we thought very reasonable.

As our plans weren’t completed by then, we waited to make a reservation. I sent an e-mail on August 11 inquiring about the availability of two rooms for nine days in June 2010. Apparently, the Regal Inn Xpress has increased its room rate for the period of the World Cup to R1 200 per night. This is outrageous, especially in a city where there are no games being played. How can this be allowed to happen?

We shall also travel to the Drakensberg, Johannesburg and Kruger National Park. Although bookings have been difficult to secure we have managed it and the rates have been reasonable with only slight increases in airfares from Canada, accommodation and car rental.

This ripping off of the world is not a good advertisement for South African tourism.

JOHN AND ERICA GILBY Oakville, Ontario, Canada

Source: The Witness 10 September 2009