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)