New Zealand’s Commerce Commission has announced that it will be keeping an especially close eye on the country’s tourism sector ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup. The warning comes after two car hire company bosses were fined for scamming foreign visitors. The Directors of Euro Car Rental New Zealand in Christchurch and Affinity Car Rental New Zealand, also in Christchurch, have pleaded guilty to several counts of breaching the Fair Trading Act.

Among their crimes were: adding charges to customers’ bills which had never been discussed; telling customers’ that repairs had been done to cars when they had not; telling customers they had caused damage to vehicles when it was not the case; advertising the companies as being supported by ‘Qalmark’ while having no such endorsement and promising the newest car models, but providing vehicles which had been in the fleet for years.

The Commerce Commission’s general manager of enforcement, Kate Morrison, said this was exactly the sort of behaviour which can put tourists off from coming to New Zealand. She added the country needed to keep its reputation in tact, especially with the Rugby World Cup fast approaching.

Morrison explained that the car rental industry is an extremely important part of New Zealand’s travel infrastructure, especially for tourists. She said it was vital that businesses competed fairly and provided the most up to date information possible.

Morrison added that many overseas visitors have to book their car hire well in advance of their travels and so companies really ought to keep their websites accurate.