Price Gouging Widespread in Durban

Officials in Durban have surveyed local hotel accommodations and found that more than half are planning to boost their prices by 50% or more.

This is the second highest in the country after Gauteng with 65 percent, the survey commissioned by South African Tourism has revealed.

"This is not too good," Gerhard Patzer, the chairman of the region's Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa), said last night.

However, Patzer believes that many of the hotels, guest houses and B&Bs charging more than 50 percent of their highest rack rate (the price, inclusive of VAT, charged to the public before any discount) would not get their price.

2010 price gouging in Durban
Daily News
March 31, 2010

Soweto Angles to be Tourist Draw During World Cup

Soweto is hoping to lure World Cup tourists to experience its historic character and distinct urban charm. Local business people claim that bed-and-breakfast accommodations are fully booked for the World Cup period. This article takes a look at the township and its history.

This is the new Soweto, a mix of upper-crust comforts and urban grit.

It is a place where shopping malls and landscaped parks have sprung up among some of South Africa’s most important landmarks of the struggle against white-minority rule.

It’s a side of Johannesburg that residents hope World Cup visitors will venture out to see, where one third of the city’s 3.8 million people live.

Soweto to show face of success to tourists
Sowetan
March 30, 2010

Hotels Promise to Keep Rates Standard During World Cup

Operators of bed-and-breakfasts and hotels in FIFA-endorsed accomodation areas have pledged to keep their prices reasonable during the World Cup.

Knysna tourism head Shaun van Eck said the organisation suggested that establishments use summer rates during the World Cup.

"However, many establishments are sticking to their winter rates for the whole period," he said. "We sincerely believe that the World Cup is a long-term opportunity for us to build Knysna... to a top 100 destination in the world. Our approach is definitely a strategy to attract more visitors, and to position Knysna as a value-for-money destination."

Guesthouses promise not to hike prices
Cape Argus
February 4, 2010

Cape Town Hoteliers Preparing for Tourist Influx

Owners of bed-and-breakfast accommodations in Cape Town-area townships are developing their own strategy to meet the expected influx of tourists during the 2010 World Cup.

B&B owners in Gugulethu, Langa and Khayelitsha have developed their own hospitality strategy for the event - without Match, Fifa's official hospitality partner for the World Cup.

The strategy includes:

# Launching a website where fans can book and get information on township accommodation.

# Ensuring that township restaurants and B&Bs are equipped with everything the average soccer fan needs.

# Developing a plan to ensure visitors are kept safe.

Townships prepare for 2010 influx
Cape Argus
October 23, 2009