In NZ right here, right now, the tourism sector is collectively wetting its pants with excitement about the Rugby World Cup to be held here next year. The predicted cash injection into our recessed economy is anticipated with something bordering on hysteria by businesses and media alike.
The last Rugby World Cup was held in South Africa, inspiring the movie Invictus (review here.)
Auckland’s Eden Park is the venue for the final, and there has been much media debate lately about whether accommodation providers are price gouging - as rooms are rapidly getting booked out by overseas fans. There are tales of homeowners in far distant suburbs advertising accommodation ‘just minutes’ from Eden Park. Caveat emptor, sez I. Just minutes in a Mig jet fighter, more likely.
As a wine tour operator, for me there may be more punters in town, and I may make a bit more money over our late spring shoulder season. My experience with the last big sports event here – the Lions rugby tour, was rather mixed. A few bothered to book ahead online with me, and a few found my details on the day and called direct. So I had some very busy days but mostly normal numbers for the time of year.
But, the Rugby World Cup 2011 is providing a wealth of opportunity for advertising hawkers who circle the wide-eyed small business owners like hyenas sniffing out dim-witted prey that missed out on running away lessons at prey school.
Auckland’s Eden Park is the venue for the final, and there has been much media debate lately about whether accommodation providers are price gouging - as rooms are rapidly getting booked out by overseas fans. There are tales of homeowners in far distant suburbs advertising accommodation ‘just minutes’ from Eden Park. Caveat emptor, sez I. Just minutes in a Mig jet fighter, more likely.
As a wine tour operator, for me there may be more punters in town, and I may make a bit more money over our late spring shoulder season. My experience with the last big sports event here – the Lions rugby tour, was rather mixed. A few bothered to book ahead online with me, and a few found my details on the day and called direct. So I had some very busy days but mostly normal numbers for the time of year.
But, the Rugby World Cup 2011 is providing a wealth of opportunity for advertising hawkers who circle the wide-eyed small business owners like hyenas sniffing out dim-witted prey that missed out on running away lessons at prey school.
I’ve seen it all before. “Of course we’d love to have you in our magazine and luckily we have just one spot left, which also - luckily, your opposition hasn’t taken. Yet.”
So you cough up your $1200 for a quarter page spot in a disposable glossy, take all the risk, sit back and wait for the phone to ring. Meanwhile, the hyenas are dabbing their lips, burping and scanning the horizon for more victims.
Call me cynical, but there are hordes of businesses and organisations which extract thousands of dollars selling vague promises and statistical projections, when the tourist operators pay up front and carry all the risk.
So you cough up your $1200 for a quarter page spot in a disposable glossy, take all the risk, sit back and wait for the phone to ring. Meanwhile, the hyenas are dabbing their lips, burping and scanning the horizon for more victims.
Call me cynical, but there are hordes of businesses and organisations which extract thousands of dollars selling vague promises and statistical projections, when the tourist operators pay up front and carry all the risk.
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