Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Raise those prices

There are times, and this is one of them, when I'd love to hear business owner tell a government minister to clam up. Tourism Minister John O'Donoghue "warned" businesses against making a "quick buck" off Ryder Cup visitors.

I say they should charge whatever they like. These golf fans don't have to pay. They can shop around. And, if supply is short and demand is great then the prices must rise.

The Minister believes that this event is "an opportunity to showcase the wider tourism product", but it's entirely possible that hotel owners in north Kildare don't generally benefit from the "wider tourism product". This is their moment and they should take advantage.