Tour operator Wonky Sheep has criticised hotels in some World Cup host cities for “ridiculous prices and policies” during next summer’s tournament.
Dave Dulin, founder of the operator which specialises in travel to sports events, said the US tournament was “one of worst” he has ever been involved with.
“Every major event or tournament, you expect price rises and tighter policies, but more hotels than usual have been living in cloud cuckoo land for this World Cup,” he said.
“Some prices appear to be plucked out of thin air, and expecting you to pay 100% in full up front for groups with zero flexibility is both unrealistic and unnecessary.
“It’s clear it’s not working for them, given the amount of rooms being offered, while we know other agents are also pushing back on this.
More: Wonky Sheep Travel hits annual sales target six months early
“Some hotels have listened and changed their prices and policies, with other hotels just getting it – and those are the ones we’ve been working with.”
His criticism came as the Protected Trust Services (PTS) member launched a 13-night Scotland World Cup package.
It is based in Boston and Miami around Scotland’s matches against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil.
Direct charter flights will go from Edinburgh to Boston, then Boston to Miami, and back to Edinburgh, with hotels and transfers completing the package offering.
Fans can upgrade their flights to premium economy or business class, and include three days in New York in between the first two games.
Prices start from £5,495 with agents belonging to Hays Travel, PTS, JLT, Ramsey World Travel and Merlin Travel Group among others, able to book Wonky Sheep Travel packages.