Despite government attempts to limit price-gouging during the tournament, football fans heading to Rio de Janeiro for the World Cup will have to pay at least double the going rate for hotel accommodation.
Brazilian TV network Globo have cited a TripAdvisor study that found rates in the trendy Copacabana beachside district had been hiked by up to 229 per cent.
According to the study, average hotel accommodation prices in the district will hit a staggering US$650 per night on match days during this year’s competition.
“This is not good for the city, as it underpins the idea that tourists are being exploited,” said Alfredo Lopes of the Rio Hoteliers Association.
“We recommend that hotels indicate on their sites the rack rate they used on December 31 and during Carnival (official peak periods) and also for the World Cup,” added Lopes.
In January, government-backed consumer groups reached a deal with Brazilian hoteliers that prices should not exceed New Year and carnival tariffs.
Brazil expects some three million domestic and 600,000 foreign tourists travel around the country during this year’s tournament.
Brazil only receives some six million foreign visitors annually compared to the 80 million received by top-ranked destination France.
