Rio de Janeiro, Nov 9 (IANS): The Brazilian government has demanded an explanation from the country's hotels for exhorbitant prices being charged during the 2014 FIFA World Cup which will take place in 12 cities in June-July.

Brazil's justice ministry decided to act after a number of complaints were made in consumer protection organs all over the country. According to the government, there was evidence that hotels were charging prices much above the norm and disrespecting consumer protection laws, reports Xinhua.

Hotel chains Accor, Blue Tree and Wyndham are among those targeted by the ministry's demands.

"Tourists are consumers who need special protection because they are away from their city or country," consumer defence director at the National Consumer Protection Secretariat Amaury Oliva said Friday.

In addition to the hotels, the government is also keeping an eye on airlines. Last month, the government announced that plane ticket prices would be monitored as well.