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Wheeling luggage at airport - Source: ONE News
An Australian travel agent is accusing Auckland hoteliers of being greedy in their pricing for the Rugby World Cup.
Australian Sports Tours says hotel rates during next year's World Cup will be about three times what they're during the Bledisloe Cup.
General manager Sam Harrison says a night at the Hilton Hotel could set people back by $1700 and he says this is pushing people to consider alternatives like travelling early or flying in and out on the same day. He says even some two and three star hotels are tripling their prices, believing demand will outstrip supply.
Harrison says hotels in cities not hosting the cup could offer competitive prices, but they are jacking their prices up too. He says there's a danger of alienating markets like the United Kingdom, which has been hit hard by the global recession.
Harrison says staying on a cruise ship looks like a good value option compared to the Auckland hotels.
Hospitality training
Meanwhile, a hospitality training programme has been set up to cope with the unprecedented demand expected from the Rugby World Cup.
Up to 15,000 staff will be needed to serve the 1.7 million fans who are expected over the five weeks of the tournament next year and training is a challenge for the hospitality industry because of the transient workforce.
Hospitality and logistics manager Ian Crowe says the course will train people in the core skills of hospitality such as opening wine and clearing plates and tables. He says front of house skills will include taking cash, smiling and being able to pour a beer properly.
Crowe says it's important to get the basics right.
