Not everyone aims to make quick killing

Not all tour operators or accommodation providers are planning on making maximum profits from next year's Rugby World Cup.

Kathy and Mark Sandiford, who own the Kiwi International Hotel in Auckland's Queen St, are refusing to charge more than $200 a night.

The couple have just renovated the 120 rooms in the hotel, which usually have a rate of $89 a night.

Mrs Sandiford said she was "gobsmacked" by the prices charged by some accommodation providers. "It's just ridiculous," she said. "How does it make New Zealanders look? It makes us look incredibly greedy, doesn't it?

"At the moment tourism is hurting. We want to encourage people to come back or come now."

Greenlane Manor Motel owner Peter Ranson contacted the Herald yesterday irate that hotel and motel owners could be tarred with the same brush as overseas-based tour operators.

"As avid rugby fans, our rates were always set with affordability in mind and it is with this attitude that we supplied the best rate we could for 2011," he said.

The motel charges only $600 for three nights. However, an Australian tour operator has been offering its clients three nights at the motel, along with tickets to the final and bronze final, for $7644.

Mr Ranson said these packages were set independently of the motel.

He said the motel's direct rates had been confirmed as entirely reasonable, practical and saleable - borne out by the fact it was sold out for both the semi and final weekends.