A five-star luxury hotel in Sanya, Hainan province. International investors are keen to expand in the resort city. [Photo/China Daily]

The local government of Sanya in South China's Hainan province has announced its pricing guidelines for hotels during Spring Festival in February. The charge for a standard room should be no more than 5,000 yuan ($775) for a day and the morning buffet shouldn't cost more than 350 yuan with tax and tips excluded. The move comes after the popular tourist destination was criticized for overcharging tourists last year. The Prosecutorial Daily says the move is a step in the right direction but it still leaves scope for hotels to overcharge:

First of all we should praise the Sanya tourism bureau for the attempt to regulate the market. Prices have always been aggressively hiked during holidays in the past. During Spring Festival last year, the high prices scared tourists away.

The Hainan provincial government allowed the local government to guide price hikes during holidays in 2011. However, hotel owners always set the highest price within the range prescribed by the regulation. But for many visitors, the price of 5,000 yuan for a room for one night is exorbitant, and it seems that the local government is encouraging the increase in prices. Even the buffet cost is sky-high for ordinary tourists and holiday-goers.

Without categorizing the room prices for hotels of various ratings, it is not fair to set the same price for all.

The local hotel industry should be aware that government guidelines should be observed while tourists complaints examined and redressed.