London, meeting with agency officials in price dispute
LONDON – London Olympic organizers Friday meeting with the travel agent accused of selling official packages for the Games of 2012 at a price too dear. London Mayor Boris Johnson is among those who have criticized the housing prices, but London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton and the organization representing the hospitality industry in Britain has said that London hotels offer rooms for visitors to the Olympic below market rates. However, the official sponsor Thomas Cook is selling packages that cost several times the value of separate tickets and lodging. "London hoteliers have no control on prices that the agents in charge," British Hospitality Association Chief Executive Ufi Ibrahim said. "There is no doubt that the hotel is business, quite the contrary." Hotels in London have decided to leave these rooms below the market price in order to support the Games. The charges are looting are totally unfounded. "Ibrahim said hotels are charging or not their average room rates between 2007 and 2010. Thomas Cook said it would not comment on ongoing negotiations.
