VOLUNTOURS is one of the good guys and has NOT increased their pricing to capitalise on the increased number of people expected to visit South Africa over the World Cup period.

"South Africa's tourism ministry has ordered an investigation into allegations that World Cup hotel prices are unreasonably high, one month after a similar government probe was launched to find out if local airlines were colluding to inflate fares.

The hotel allegations have worried operators and others in South Africa's tourism business, who called a news conference on Tuesday to deny them.

Members of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, an industry group, welcomed the investigation announced by Tourism Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk and said they were sure an independent inquiry would prove that most of them were not inflating room rates.

Business leaders have urged South Africans not to take advantage of World Cup visitors, saying profiteering would keep tourists from returning.

Jabu Mabuza, chairperson of South Africa's state-owned tourism development company and chief executive of a national hotel and casino chain, said the country has sophisticated hotels, restaurants and attractions that rival those anywhere in the world.

He said the strategy has been not to market the country as cheap, but as a place where a traveller can get value for money.

"It is quite disturbing to us ... that there are people who have reportedly tripled prices," he told reporters recently. "It is very shortsighted. I think it is, frankly, stupid."

No one disputes prices will be higher during the World Cup, but the question is what is reasonable.

"In recent weeks we have noted allegations that accommodation establishments in the tourism industry are not responsible, and are inflating prices excessively," the tourism minister said in a statement."

Source: http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-02-24-tourism-minister-probes-world-cup-prices