A budget hotel chain in Shanghai is so confident about the success of the 2010 World Expo that it has already started accepting bookings.

"We decided to offer bookings due to the great opportunity brought by the Expo and the tremendous growth of Shanghai's hotel industry," said Zhou Zijing, director 24K International Hotels development department.

Guests who make a reservation by the end of 2007 will pay the current rate for their future rooms.

But they are required to pay 30 per cent of the cost upon reservation, and pay the remainder three months before check-in.

So far, the company has not received any bookings, but Zhou said there had been some inquiries.

Other hotels in the city dismissed the company's booking policy.

"This type of special booking service may work with some corporate clients but it won't work with ordinary tourists. Few people make holiday plans four years in advance," said a local five-star hotel staff member surnamed Song, asking not to mention the hotel's name.

Zhou was bullish in the face of this type of criticism. "I've heard many sharp ironies such as whether our 24K Hotels will still be there in 2010," he said. "But I have strong faith in the future considering the booming hotel market in Shanghai."

"By providing such unusual booking services, we wish to learn more about the demands of our guests in advance of the Expo and possibly come up with more flexible customized services," Zhou said.

He also revealed that they would control the number of rooms which are available for such four-year-advanced reservation, while most local hotels are expected to raise their room rates as the Shanghai World Expo approaches.

The company currently has three hotels with more than 400 rooms priced from 268 yuan to 398 yuan (US$34-50). It plans to open at least two more hotels in the city before 2010.

Organizers of the Shanghai World Expo estimate that the event will attract 70 million visitors from home and abroad to the city in 2010, which will greatly boost the growth of the local hotel industry. Many international luxury hotel brands and economy hotel chains are now preparing for expansion.

(China Daily August 3, 2006)