Hotel rooms still empty during Beijing Olympics
by Lim Hui Sin CEI Asia Pacific 01-Sep-08, 16:28
Tourism Administration has released new data which it says shows the room crunch predicted during the Beijing Olympics will not happen.
The city’s five-star hotels have an average occupancy rate of 77% from August 8 to 24, while
the occupancy rate for four-star hotels is just 44%. The tourism bureau acknowledged that
tightened procedures for visa applications had contributed to the shortfall.
BTA director Zhang Huiguang said the city was expecting 500,000 foreign visitors, but “hotel prices are rising and transportation fees are rising, so many will not choose to come during this period”.
Zhang said rates at five-star hotels were 2.6 times more expensive than last year, while
rates at four-star hotels have risen 3.6 times. Average rates for fivestar accommodation are currently between US$555 to US$1,155.
Olympics...hotels available
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