Guests at Beijing's top hotels will soon pay more for their rooms as the city adjusts its hotel prices to bring them on par with world average.

Room rates in Beijing's top grand hotels might be raised 6 percent every year until the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, reported the local newspaper Beijing Daily on Wednesday. According to the article, price guidelines will soon be announced by the municipal tourism bureau and the city's Reform and Development Committee.  

Now the average rack prices of Beijing's five-star hotels is at US$170 one night. It is currently possible to spend a night in a five-star hotel in Beijing for less than US$60, especially during low seasons for business travelers, which are typically the May Day and National Day holidays.

The growth rate was calculated based on the local government's commitments to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that, for 5-star hotels, preferential room rates will stand at US$340 dollars, US$370 dollars (special offer), and US$420 dollars (rack rates).

Beijing's average hotel room price is only US$50 a night, according to a report on Beijing hotels released by Pricewaterhouse Coopers. The global average is predicted to reach US$89.97 a night this year.

Price adjustment of hotel rooms during the Olympics now tops the agenda of the municipal tourism bureau, said its Deputy Director Xiong Yumei.

There are now 610 star-rated hotels in Beijing, and 88 have been chosen to host athletes and visitors during the Games.

(Xinhua News Agency June 16, 2005)