Overcharging at X'mas time...

Business Standard [1] has this report quoting "industry sources" in which Sreejiraj Eluvangal from Mumbai writes in a report (datelined 19, 2005) that Goa's five-star hotel rates are likely to scale a new peak next fortnight. It says, "With increased air-connectivity and increasing number of Russian tourists, room-rates are higher by around 20 per cent from last year, with deluxe rooms going for around Rs 20,000 per night and five-star rates hovering around the Rs 15,000-mark." 20% seems like a gross underestimate. The entire tourism sector goes into hyperinflation here during the year-end cut-throat season. For instance, the Goa-Mumbai Volvo service in early January is quoting Rs 1500 for tickets which usually cost Rs 500! Obviously the government isn't unduly worried about unfair profiteering. But then, a large number of politicians also double up as hoteliers, transport operators and the like! [1] Hotel tariff zooms up by 20 % in Goa