A study by travel service Kayak shows that "the price of plane tickets for flights from Europe to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup have increased by 36%," according to LA AFICION. The study examined flights from Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the U.K. with destinations in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, comparing prices for dates between June 10 and 14 with prices from dates throughout '13. Flights from the U.K. to Rio de Janiero are 36% more expensive, and prices jumped 19% for U.K.-Sao Paulo flights. Kayak also showed a 40% increase in the cost of Sao Paulo hotels and of 18% for hotels in Rio (LA AFICION, 11/27).
UNAUTHORIZED AGENTS PUNISHED: In Mexico City, Luis Moreno reported Mexico's government "will sanction 11 travel agencies for offering 2014 World Cup travel packages without FIFA accreditation." The federal government demanded that Escotours, Mexicotur, Travel Viajes Mexic, Mexticket, Global Entertainment Mexico, Cuevas Travel, Elite Tours, Meza Sports, Veloso Travel, Eight Tours and Travel Sports System get "approval from FIFA, but none were able to do so." In Mexico, the only agencies authorized by FIFA to offer World Cup packages are Mundomex and Nevada Tours (LA AFICION, 11/27).
