An Auckland hotel has hiked its room rate to $1500 a night for the rugby World Cup final sparking fears price gouging may harm the country's tourism industry.
A survey of 91 hotels, motels and backpackers in the region found 85 were putting up their prices for the World Cup, including the Mercure Hotel which was quoting a price of $1500 for the night of the final at Eden Park.
The New Zealand Herald survey compared room rates for last Saturday and rates for the game between the All Blacks and France on September 24 and the cup final on October 23.
The survey found 83 of the 91 accommodation providers surveyed would charge more for the All Blacks-France game and 57 would increase prices for the final.
Rachael Darcy, Auckland's major events manager, said price-gouging risked harming New Zealand's tourism reputation.
The average price increase for a standard two-person room on September 24 was two and a half times the rate for last Saturday and during the finals weekend, the average price was three times the usual rate.
Hospitality Association chief Bruce Robertson said hotel rates were consistent with what fans paid at other international events and New Zealanders were judging prices through New Zealanders' eyes, rather than the eyes of tourists.
