The Department of Tourism will conduct a survey into allegations that some accommodation providers are hiking prices for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. 

Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said price hiking for accommodation during the World Cup could be harmful to the reputation of the country's tourism industry.

He said these allegations must be investigated and the results made public. 

The auditing and management consulting firm, Grant Thornton, has been commissioned to conduct the survey, which is expected to be completed in three weeks. 

"We have requested them to benchmark South African accommodation prices against those of other nations that previously hosted the FIFA World Cup.” 

"South Africa is a value-for-money destination, and this reputation should be safeguarded. Price hiking could damage the reputation of our tourism industry," van Schalkwyk said.

He said the department noted that in many cases where very high prices were cited, these prices were for private apartments and houses that were being rented out to individuals or groups, often in some of the most high-end neighbourhoods in the country. 

"We believe this survey will assist us in getting to the bottom of the allegations." 

Source: BuaNews