Garth Brooks should call out hotels for ‘price gouging’ during his run of concerts at Croke Park, according to Dublin’s Deputy Lord Mayor.
The Country music legend is playing at least two shows at the Dublin venue next September after suffering “the greatest heartbreak” of having to cancel in 2014.
Since the dates were announced, prices for some Dublin hotels have rocketed more than 200%, with no double rooms available in the city for less than €300 on the night of the first show.
On The Pat Kenny Show this morning, Joe Costello said the prices will put off tourists from around the world.
“There will be people coming from Northern Ireland, from the UK and Europe,” he said.
“They will be coming from all over the world and Croke Park is an iconic setting for it. So, I think it is important that we get it right.
“While a certain amount of an increase is to be expected, we don’t want a rip-off and certainly, Dublin is expensive enough as it is.”
He called on Brooks to call out hotels for raising prices.
“I would like to see Garth Brooks make a statement in relation to this,” he said.
“What we did in the past was, there were a lot of ticket touts around and we introduced legislation to deal with that and effectively this is a form of touting where the market has been cornered.
“So, if this is happening in our hotels, I think we should look at it as well from a Government point of view but also I would like to see Garth Brooks make a statement and say that he wants his fans to be fairly treated.”
Also on the show, John Brennan, owner of the Park Hotel Kenmare in County Kerry said hotel prices always increase when a big event is announced.
“What city in the world does that not happen in?” he asked. “When there is an event of any magnitude coming to a city or anywhere for that matter.”
He noted that hotels have to register a maximum charge with Failte Ireland at the start of each year and cannot exceed it regardless of demand.
“The bottom line is, it is not rocket science, it is supply and demand and it is evident right across the world,” he said.
“You can see it in general, tourism businesses are more expensive in the summer months than they are in the winter months.
“When there is demand prices go up for everything right across the board.”
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