FIFA has done football fans no favours, says bookings website
Football’s ruling body FIFA did fans no favours by picking three of the most expensive countries in the world to host the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups, according to Hotels.com
The warning came after it was revealed that last year average prices in the 2010 host nation South Africa leapt 21% to £118, with Cape Town, where many England supporters were based, rocketing 28% to £122.
Fans planning to attend the next three tournaments in Brazil, Russia and Qatar will also be faced with sky-high prices thanks to Sepp Blatter and his fellow officials’ selections, said Hotels.com
In Brazil, host of the 2014 tournament, prices have already leapt 24% to an average of £129 due to the country’s rocketing economy, according to the latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index.
In Sao Paulo prices have risen 41% – the biggest percentage leap of all major world cities – and in Rio De Janeiro they are up 28%.
The HPI® identified Russia, which stages the World Cup in 2018, as the most expensive country overall for UK travellers with typical rooms at £132 although Moscow rates hit £149 last year. In Doha, the capital of 2022 venue Qatar, was the third most expensive city in the world with average rates of £169 a night.
Global communications director Alison Couper said: “The data from South Africa last year clearly shows the extent of the World Cup effect facing supporters when it comes to booking hotel accommodation.
“Heavy demand for rooms pushes up rates especially where the supply of good accommodation is limited. There is every indication that Brazil, where prices are already rocketing because of the country’s booming economy and growing popularity, will follow the same pattern.
“FIFA also did football fans few favours by picking Russia and Qatar for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. These destinations are already two of the most expensive in the world for hotels and staging the World Cup there is only likely to make them even more pricey.”
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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