Fáilte Ireland has said western hoteliers are permitted to raise room rates during Galway Race Week if they do not exceed their registered maximum levels, writes Lorna Siggins in Galway
The Radisson SAS hotel in Galway was quoting €450 a night for a double room with bed and breakfast this week, but this will drop to €129 for the same room and same breakfast fare when the racing festival is over.
The Great Southern in Eyre Square was quoting €280 for a double room with breakfast, compared to €180 next week.
The Corrib Great Southern was quoting €270 for a twin room, compared to €150 for two with breakfast next week.
Two guests who stayed at the Menlo Park Hotel on the Headford Road were quoted €140 each this week when they booked in June. They were then informed by phone last week that the cost would be €210 a person.
The manager of the Menlo Park Hotel said the revised rate had been accepted by the two guests and had been confirmed by credit card.
"In relation to the price, we do accept that the wrong rate was quoted originally and apologies were made for this in the subsequent phone call," he said.
"The Galway Race Week is a particular product and it is accepted that increased rates apply in most hotels for the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the festival. However, there are also special offers in August," he added.
Fáilte Ireland says that under the Tourism Traffic Acts, all hotels must register annually with it and must quote their maximum and minimum levels during this registration.
If the maximum level is exceeded, customers who make a written complaint to Fáilte Ireland may have their case taken up by the organisation. It can seek a refund from the hotel, and has done under the legislation, according to a spokesman.
The tourism body has no remit in the area of drink prices. Anecdotal evidence suggests that while some Galway pubs are maintaining current prices, some city centre establishments are making the most of Galway Race Week in the knowledge that many visitors will gladly pay the €225 minimum return fare by helicopter to Ballybrit.
Ireland-West Tourism says it has received no formal complaints this week on overcharging in Galway city. But a comment line on prices run by Galway Bay FM radio's Keith Finnegan Show over the past fortnight has received more than 500 complaints.
Most complaints have related to hotel accommodation, meals in restaurants both in Galway city and county, drink and car hire.