2004 Olympic Games will be pricey for tourists

The 2004 Olympic Games to be held this summer in Athens will go down in history as the most expensive Olympiads of all time for tourists. Some official estimates are pointing to 600 euros a night at a three-star hotel and as many as 13,000 euros for those interested in watching the competitions.

The list of price tags was disclosed in Buenos Aires by Francisco Bachrach, chief of SINTEC Tour, a travel company that’s been working closely with the Olympic Games for the last 40 years.

“All tourists attending the Games will have to pay those prices,” Mr. Bachrach said during a presentation on the Olympiads held at the Greek Embassy in Buenos Aires. The Olympic Games will take place from September 17 to 28 in Athens.

In trying to shed some light on the reasons behind skyrocketing prices, Mr. Bachrach explained there are “too many tour operators in the business and that’s definitely shooting prices up to record highs in the history of the Olympic Games.”

In an interview with news agency ANSA, Mr. Bachrach said the six-day package including hotel lodging, airfare, tickets for sport venues and transportation will set travelers back some 4,300 euros. Those willing to watch the Games from the word go all the way to the closing ceremony will have to fork over 13,000 euros apiece.

The Greek capital could come in for 3 million tourists during the 15-day Olympic stretch, with 500 travelers coming from Argentina.