❓ Mr. Redman raises concerns about potential price gouging by overseas booking platforms, particularly in tourist hotspots like Margaret River. The Minister acknowledges the issue but declines to directly intervene, suggesting consumers contact providers directly and referring the matter to Tourism WA and the ACCC.
AnsweredQoN 529Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TOURISM — ACCOMMODATION — OVERSEAS
BOOKING PLATFORMS
529. Mr D.T. REDMAN to the Minister for Tourism:
I
have a supplementary question. Now that the minister is aware of the issue and
the pending significant reputational damage
that is occurring for many accommodation providers, given that many people
believe that they are overpriced and setting prices outside their
authority, will the minister undertake to meet with online platforms in an endeavour
to change that behaviour?
BOOKING PLATFORMS
529. Mr D.T. REDMAN to the Minister for Tourism:
I
have a supplementary question. Now that the minister is aware of the issue and
the pending significant reputational damage
that is occurring for many accommodation providers, given that many people
believe that they are overpriced and setting prices outside their
authority, will the minister undertake to meet with online platforms in an endeavour
to change that behaviour?
AnswerView source ↗
I
probably will not. I urge anyone who feels that there is an issue and wants to
draw it to our attention, to bring it to the attention of Tourism WA, and it will advise me. We will probably
seek assistance from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission,
the appropriate authority at a federal level on these matters, and it may be
able to pursue this matter.
However, I will say that I am not
aware of extraordinary gouging in any way with respect to costs. There are
costs associated with staying in accommodation in the regions. What is at play
at the moment in many respects, I think, may be just the free market in which
there is supply and demand. There is great demand. I have heard many anecdotal
reports from operators of customers applauding the fact that they are providing
a service, an opportunity to experience encounters, attractions and
destinations, and saying that Western Australians are actively seeking to go
there to help their fellow Western Australians. Western Australians,
particularly from the metropolitan area, are actively choosing to travel to
places that they may not have gone to before with the intent of not only having
a wonderful holiday, a wonderful break and a great experience, but also
supporting their fellow citizens during this troublesome time. I commend them
for that. What did the member want to say?
Mr D.T. Redman : I was going
to make the point that in Margaret River there is a facility normally booked
for $200 a night for a room that is on there for $5 000 a night.
Mr P. PAPALIA : If that is the
case, I do not imagine they will be getting too many takers. People are not
stupid. I urge everyone who is listening that if they want to make a booking to
ring the hotel. Go to the site and if there is a particular discrepancy, like a
$200-a-night offering being put on the market for $5 000, unless they really
want to pay $5 000, I urge them to ring the hotel and find out the actual
price.
probably will not. I urge anyone who feels that there is an issue and wants to
draw it to our attention, to bring it to the attention of Tourism WA, and it will advise me. We will probably
seek assistance from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission,
the appropriate authority at a federal level on these matters, and it may be
able to pursue this matter.
However, I will say that I am not
aware of extraordinary gouging in any way with respect to costs. There are
costs associated with staying in accommodation in the regions. What is at play
at the moment in many respects, I think, may be just the free market in which
there is supply and demand. There is great demand. I have heard many anecdotal
reports from operators of customers applauding the fact that they are providing
a service, an opportunity to experience encounters, attractions and
destinations, and saying that Western Australians are actively seeking to go
there to help their fellow Western Australians. Western Australians,
particularly from the metropolitan area, are actively choosing to travel to
places that they may not have gone to before with the intent of not only having
a wonderful holiday, a wonderful break and a great experience, but also
supporting their fellow citizens during this troublesome time. I commend them
for that. What did the member want to say?
Mr D.T. Redman : I was going
to make the point that in Margaret River there is a facility normally booked
for $200 a night for a room that is on there for $5 000 a night.
Mr P. PAPALIA : If that is the
case, I do not imagine they will be getting too many takers. People are not
stupid. I urge everyone who is listening that if they want to make a booking to
ring the hotel. Go to the site and if there is a particular discrepancy, like a
$200-a-night offering being put on the market for $5 000, unless they really
want to pay $5 000, I urge them to ring the hotel and find out the actual
price.
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