Hotels Profit From "Exam Economy"

Hotels across the country are providing havens for students taking part in the college entrance examinations which began on July 7.

Demand for a good environment in which students could study for these important exams has led many of China's top hotels in big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, to offer more special rooms at discounted prices for students in recent years.

"Parents are willing to do everything for their children to help them get good marks in the upcoming examination, which is going to determine their fate," said Huang Biao, an official with the sales department of the Fragrant Hills Hotel in Beijing.

Since 1998, some hotels in Beijing have been making special rooms available to students who are about to take part in the examinations, the paper said.

This year in Beijing, six star hotels are providing such rooms with prices from 200-300 yuan (US$ 24.2-36.3) per day.

People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/