A representative from Beijing Tourism Bureau has disclosed that in order to prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games, the Beijing Tourism Bureau has called in experts from the tourism industry and relevant institutions to work out a standard for budget hotels.

The new standard is expected to be promulgated within this year.

Dr. Wu Ning from the China Academy of Social Science said that the new standard must lay out some basic criteria on safety, sanitation, hardware facilities and service standard so that budget hotels can develop in a good manner in the future.

The average room rate for Beijing's budget hotel was RMB210 last year. Experts quoted in local media estimate that the rate will be marked up to USD100-200 per bed during the Olympic Games in 2008.

Budget hotel brands in China include Home Inn, Motel 168, and Jinjiang Inn.