Tourists extortion

For many years, London has been at the forefront of extortionate prices for tourists, and UK visitors alike. Although doubt it beats Venice.

I wonder what will happen in 2022. The British summer has been disappointing this season weather wise, so many holidaymakers will be desperate to head abroad and pay the elevated prices.
We keep nagging the letting company about a large property in Cornwall for next summer. They say they can't release them yet because they don't know whether owners will want to do something different next year - like advertise privately and make more money for themselves.

It's a supply and demand thing, as people will charge the highest amount that they think they'll get away with.

Those desperate for a holiday cottage break have, effectively, set the prices this year - about double the usual rate!

We have always called it Much Dearer

I think we need to stop complaining too much about holiday prices in 2021. It was, and still is, an exceptional 12+ months for the hospitality industry. Demand drastically outweighed supply, so of course prices rocketed. Devon and Cornwall were packed, and all those moaning about the expensive rentals are forgetting that there are many 6 figure earners who were more than willing to pay the price, so hence the price hike.
I haven't ventured abroad yet, but would imagine it is the same. Sometimes taxi companies abroad make up the prices as they go along, and if you are a tourist they take advantage.
Adding extras to bills might hopefully have been a mistake. Four of us had a meal at a restaurant on a cathedral green last month and the bill was £340. On checking we found that because 2 of us had chosen desserts from a different menu we had had the whole meal added twice, so it was actually £100 less.
I have fond memories of Madeira. The perfume of the plants, fish restaurants, stunning views from a cable car, a weird ride in a basket, a boat trip and lots of reading in the sunshine. Sorry to sound like an advert for the place!

Aveline I have never been to bingo in my life and am a bit old for clubs.

I love Menorca, which is very quiet and laid back, but Madeira just didn't appeal to me.

There have certainly been price increases in the UK, understandably imho as businesses struggle to get back on their feet. But it's not the case across the board.

We've just had four nights in a very good independent hotel in South Kensington for £333. Way below anything we've paid before for a decent hotel in London. I'm now looking to book a break in York and hotel prices seem to be no different to what they were before Covid. On top of that, Northern Rail recently ran their usual Autumn promotion of tickets for £1 per journey, so our travel's only costing us £4.

I have noticed UK hotel prices have started return to normal booked a couple of weekend breaks September a little above normal and October in York perhaps a little cheaper than we normally pay

I think that they need to make up for lost time, as long as you know in advance that the taxi will cost more then fair enough.
But to cheat and add items onto a bill that you havent received is just theft and should be challenged.

Eloethan- no clubs and bingo? Suits us. It's a beautiful island, very relaxing and friendly.

I wouldn't go back to Madeira anyway. Apart from a beautiful garden in Funchal, I thought it rather dull.

Well, it seems it's happening at home and abroad.

I think most people will understand if businesses put up their prices a little as they have had a hard time.

However, huge price rises will only serve to put people off visiting a place again.

*MayBeMaw" yes.

Have you looked at some of the prices being charged for holiday rentals, air BnB’s, cottages and hotels etc in this country this year?

In this country the government put in measures to give some help to thosw orking in various industries put out of work during the pandemic.

In other countries, possibly ncluding Madeira, those working in the tourist economy were probably left high and dry, no work, no money for a year or more, relying on savings, loans, eating less and doing without.

I expect they have put prices up to try and scrape a better living and repay all their debts and loans.

Admittdly a short sighted policy, but understandable. We need to think round these events before accusing people of extortion.

Yes, customers aren't daft are they? No-one likes to feel that they're being ripped off and they won't return.

I reckon they must be absolutely desperate to make up for lost revenue. Hospitality and tourism must have be virtually obliterated over the lockdown.
We actually saved money over Covid as we weren't going out and weren't buying anything. We'd like to go back to Madeira next year and will happily pay a bit extra if it helps businesses and individuals in the industry.

I think it's short-sighted. Most people will realise they're being ripped off and go elsewhere.

It's the same here with the price of accommodation going through the roof. I suspect that some people who booked last year for this were told that the price had increased significantly and so cancelled. Better, surely, for businesses to have firm bookings but I suppose they've been trying to make up for lost income. It strikes me that they're just losing custom.