| Beijing is promoting the idea of "Green Olympics" as one of its three themes for the 2008 Olympic Games. The aim is to incorporate the concept of sustainable development into the preparation of the Games, to protect the environment, conserve resources and maintain the ecological balance.
Now China's tourism industry has also joined in. Some of Beijing's star-rated hotels start their participation with stopping providing throwaway articles such as throwaway toothbrushes, combs and slippers to customers.
According to Deputy director of Beijing Tourism Administration, Xiong Yuemei, this campaign is in accordance with the concept of "Green Olympics".
"Star-rated hotels are the main consumer of resources in the tourism industry. They can do a lot to implement 'Green Olympics' Carrying out this campaign among restaurants, hotels and scenic spots is an action to welcome 2008 Olympics."
Beijing's star-rated hotels are among the first responding to the call. Xu Jinzhi, Chariman of the Hotel Branch of Beijing Tourism Industry Association, unfolds that 141 hotels have signed the proposal to join in the "Green Action" campaign.
"After Beijing won the bid for 2008 Olympics with three themes Green Olympics, Hi-tech Olympics and People's Olympics, we have always been considering what we can do to contribute to the preparation for the Games. We have held discussions on the specific measures to achieve Green Olympics. Now many Beijing hotels are using energy-saving facilities."
Hotels in foreign countries stopped providing throwaway articles to customers long ago, but Chinese hotels have continued to. According to statistics, there are about 100,000 guest rooms in total in Beijing. If 65% are occupied, then every day 11 tons of waste is thrown away. Many guests in hotels also support the campaign. Twenty-one-year-old Wangying, who is on a trip with her mother, is one of them.
"I think it's good. I usually don't use the combs and toothbrushes the hotel provides, for I always take those necessities with me. Using the stuff I am used to makes me feel more comfortable. So being without those throwaway articles will not affect me at all."
But Dong Yechangyong, a public servant, who is on a business trip in Beijing and has checked in to a hotel, doesn't quite agree. He is concerned about the inconvenience brought by this measure.
"It reduces the costs and helps conserve resources, but at the same time, it will affect the guests. It's not convenient. The hotels had better inform the customers of their new arrangement before they register into hotels to avoid embarrassment. In that way, we can prepare those needed articles by ourselves before hand."
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