Austin – the new Monaco
The Statesman, one of the main media sources for the Texas Capital city is reporting “Some international tour operators who specialize in Formula One race packages are hyping the 2013 United States Grand Prix and the vibrant Texas city of — San Antonio. Others are looking to book blocks of hotel rooms in San Marcos — “San Marvelous,” as one tour website referred to it. And a few tour operators have gone so far as not to offer an Austin hotel option for the Nov. 17 race, blaming the high prices Austin hotels charged last year for the city’s inaugural F1 Grand Prix week.”
John Sinker of English tour operator MotoExpress explains, “For some reason the hotels believed they could charge more than hotels in Monaco. They did not understand that F1 fans are very international and they think nothing about travelling around the world to watch races. However, if presented with a choice of going to the Monaco F1 and the Austin F1 and if Monaco is cheaper, they will go to Monaco every time.”
