Enough rooms promised for Expo

THE Shanghai government has vowed that enough hotel rooms will be available for the China International Import Expo, an event set to draw visitors from over 120 countries and regions.

The tourism bureau said yesterday that it’s working with about 500 hotels in western Shanghai which have about 120,000 beds to offer in total. Hotels in neighboring Suzhou and Kunshan are also in close contact with the bureau.

So far, event guests have booked about 5,000 hotel rooms, according to the bureau.

The bureau further said it’s working on a plan with business and market authorities to control hotel prices ahead of the event.

But local tourism officials aren’t the only ones preparing for Expo.

Authorities say the Hongqiao business district, where the event is scheduled to be held in November, will see the installation of more greenery and colorful public light displays. According to the greenery and sanitation bureau, about 281 improvement projects have been identified for the area, about half of which are currently under way.

Renovations and clean-up work will also be carried out at local airports, railway terminals, and the Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone, among other areas.

Roads in and around Hongqiao are being constructed and repaired, with work set to wrap by the end of September, according to the city’s transportation commission.

The Expo will recruit a total of 5,000 volunteers, mostly from local universities. Most volunteers will be serving at the National Exhibition and Convention Center during the event, while some will be working alongside organizers.

The first China International Import Expo will be held from November 5 to 10.