China Tourist Hotel Association (CTHA) recently published the new version of the Chinese Hotel Industry Guideline, in which an article about checking-out-before-12 am is deleted.

The guideline does not set clear rules about the time of checking out, though it does emphasize that tourist hotels should inform guests of the check-out time, Zhengzhou Evening Post reported Friday.

"Check out before 12 am or additional charges will be added," has long been a guild regulation in the hotel industry.

The Beijing Consumers' Association pointed out that this regulation was improper as it harmed consumers' interests and rights.

The Chinese Hotel Industry Guideline previously however refused to change it preferring to follow standard international practice.

From now on the new guideline stipulates hotels should post the prices of different rooms and the method of charging in a prominent place at the reception or tell guests about the above information in a proper way.

(China Daily September 4, 2009)