Majority Of Beijing Hotels Still Not Fully Booked Almost Two Months Before Olympic Games

Beijing, China (AHN) - The predicted crunch is not happening yet.

Olympic host city Beijing is said to be experiencing a low turn out of would be visitors despite an estimated half-million visitors who are expected to flock to the city and other venues when the Games begin on August 8.

According to Zhang Huiguang, director of Beijing's Tourism Bureau, around 77 percent of the city's five-star hotel are booked during the Aug.8-24 Olympic Games, while those in lower placed hotels are also experiencing a low turnout.

A primary reason would be the intensified crack down of authorities on visa procedures affecting mostly students and those on short-term stays for possible activists that would disrupt the Summer Games. While the second pertains to the rising prices of hotel rates which doubled in a span of a year.

Zhang said that the average rate for a five-star hotel in Beijing now ranges between 3,840-7,910 Yuan or is equivalent to US$553 - US$1, 139 while a room in a four-star hotel would fetch around 2,226 Yuan or US$320. But compared to those at the previous Olympic Games, the prices in Beijing are reasonable.

According to news reports, a room at a two-star hotel during the 2004 Athens Games reached 300 euros or about 3,277 Yuan a night.

Meanwhile, Xiong Yumei, deputy director of Beijing's Tourism Bureau, said that the selection of the "Olympic Families" numbering 600 to 1,000 will be finalized by the middle of June. About 1,200 households signified their willingness to provide homestay rooms for foreign visitors but will have to be trimmed to at least 600 or more depending on their criteria set--a spare bedroom, basic toilet and shower facilities and at least one member of the family must be able to speak English.