Hotel prices rocket ahead of World Cup

A report in Jamaica's Gleaner newspaper has suggested that visitors to the island for the World Cup face having to pay massively inflated prices for hotel rooms, with many being almost double the standard rate.

A survey by the newspaper's business section revealed variations in price of between 63 and 133% above the normal rate, something that hoteliers put down to supply and demand at an already busy time of the year.

Horace Peterkin, the president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, explained that the higher costs were justified by additional expenditure needed to cope with the extra tourists expected on the island.

He added said that during the initial planning for World Cup, hotels were told the matches would occur in April and May, the to the tourism sector's summer season and the point at which its rates are generally lowest.

The Jamaica Pegasus, which will be the base of match officials and other cricket personnel, has rates of US$300 per room/night, compared to the US$167 it currently charges.

"The bookings were made way in advance. There are going to be four teams officials and the press," general manager Eldon Bremmer told the Gleaner. "We are fully booked and because of who are staying here it will work out cheaper. We have not had a change in rate since last year."