According to major travel agencies in Beijing, rooms of some hotels in Hong Kong have been in short supply but the rates have not greatly increased for the period of the 2008 Hong Kong WinterFest.

Ctrip.com indicated that for the period of Christmas holiday, the booking rate of five-star hotels in Hong Kong was, on average, about 2,200yuan, while those for four-star hotels was about 1,200yuan, and those for three-star hotels was around 900yuan. Although the occupancy of some hotels was relatively high the rates have not risen greatly.

Tang Xiaofeng, senior director of hotel business department of Ctrip.com, said that many Hong Kong hotels aim to attract more tourists to visit Hong Kong, by improving the shopping atmosphere of the 2008 Hong Kong WinterFest.

(China Hospitality News December 8, 2008)