Beijing Business Hotel Rates Increase By 15%

Data published by Ctrip.com indicates that from the middle of October, due to various meetings and exhibitions coming to Beijing, the booking rates of four- and five-star hotels in the city have increased by more than 15% compared to September 2008.

This October, the booking rate of five-star hotels in Beijing was, on average, between CNY1,200 and CNY1,400, while that for four-star hotels was between CNY600 and CNY800, an increase of more than 15% compared to September 2008. The rate for three-star hotels was about CNY300 or CNY400 — a slight increase.

Tang Xiaofeng, senior director of business department of Ctrip.com, told local media that from the middle of October hotels entered the tourism low season, and the rates of hotels in domestic tour cities went down slightly. But because there is an increase in business activities and the number of MICE events held or to be held in Beijing from October to November, the business hotels around the city have increased their rates. Also, for a few months on either side of the Olympics held in Beijing in August 2008, many large-scale exhibitions and meetings were prohibited from Beijing held in the capital city, further depressing the market.

In addition, this October, hotel rates in major business cities such as Guangzhou, Shanghai, Nanjing and Shenyang also went up by different degrees.