Beijing's tourism administration has announced an online
accommodation booking centre to open in March next year serving
visitors to the 2008 Olympic Games.
Beijing Municipal Tourism Bureau's website, www.bjta.gov.cn,
will be linked to the official website of the 29th Olympiad, said
Xiong Yumei, deputy director of the bureau on Friday.
The administration will recommend at least 1,000 budget hotels
on the website, providing about 100,000 beds.
The website will feature pictures of the hotels and
introductions in three languages - Chinese, English and French.
"In 2008, these budget hotels will be introduced in eight
languages for the convenience of visitors," Xiong said.
The bureau announced the first recommended 253 budget hotels on
Friday, each of which has passed quality service standards.
According to these standards, the hotels must each contain
service guides, signs, and bilingual menus. Facilities for visitors
must also allow for payment by credit card, and have Internet
connections in rooms. All hotels will be issued with a price guide
for reference.
The tourism administration also named 134 star hotels in Beijing
as "green hotels" on Friday. They have passed State standards
requiring the establishment of eco-friendly managerial systems and
facilities, and the adoption of technologies that conserve water,
energy and reduce waste.
Beijing is expected to receive about 500,000 visitors from
abroad during the 17-day games.
Xiong said she believed Beijing has the capacity to accommodate
the visitors.
In the 11 months of this year, Beijing has accommodated 3.63
million overseas visitors, a 7.5 percent increase year-on-year.
Beijing now has 4,023 non-star hotels and 674 star hotels,
providing a total of 570,000 beds with another 89 hotels to be
graded next year.
By 2008, the number of star hotels in Beijing should reach
800.
(China Daily December 18, 2006)