The Vancouver Olympic Committee ( VANOC ) is requesting hotels not to charge extraordinary prices during the Vancouver Winter Olympics. As of now there are no laws to prevent hotels from charging any rate they wish to set during the 2010 Olympic times. Tourists can potentially be forced to pay astronomical rates for a hotel stay during the event. VANOC is in charge of planning the Olympics and making the event a success for the city. The Olympic Committee is responsible for ensuring that visitors to the city enjoy their stay and help to promote Vancouver and Whistler. There is worry that tourists coming to Vancouve and Whistler will not be able to afford accomodation during the two week Olympic event.
Terry Wright of the Vancouver Olympic Committee says that the only means the Committee currently has to restrict hotel price increases is moral persuassion. He says that they're relying on 'Canadian politeness' in voluntarily having hotels not charge exorbitant rates during times of the Olympics. VANOC is appealing to hotels to provide an excellent experience to visitors so that word will spread of Vancouver's hospitality and increase tourism in the future. Future hotel profits can rise if tourists coming for the Olympics return to Vancouver or ask their colleagues to visit Vancouver.
According to Terry Wright VANOC will release rooms blocked off at Whistler hotels one year prior to the Olympics. Vancouver hotel rooms blocked off for the Olympics will be released seven months prior to the event. VANOC has 150 hotels associated with its program.
