The Maha Bodhi hotel in Bodhgaya would open for tourists this Sunday.

Around 25 tour and travel operators from Bodhgaya met on Wednesday at the hotel to discuss the marketing policies for the facility.

Although the hotel has facilities on a par with a five-star rating, its management has decided to apply for a four-star rating from the Union tourism ministry.

Marketing head of the Maha Bodhi HotelArun Ojha said: "A formal opening of the hotel is scheduled on July 26 but the hotel will start providing service from July 19. Bookings for the rooms have already been started. So far, we have more than 4,000 bookings on different dates. We are getting very good response from tour and the travel operators in Bodhgaya and elsewhere."

He added: "Although we are providing the best possible service at our hotel, there are some issues the government must sort out to promote tourism. The road leading to the hotel is in a dilapidated condition and there is no landline connectivity in the area where the hotel is located. Apart from this, some facilities such as domestic air connectivity, daily direct flights from Bangkok throughout the year, night-flight operation and visa-on-arrival is required at the Gaya International Airport. If these facilities are made available, many such hotels will come up in and around Bodhgaya."

Describing facilities available at the hotel, director Amit Roy said: "It is spread across three acres. An additional acre has been kept for future development. The entire premise is environment-friendly and has its own sewage treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant and reverse osmosis purified water supply. The hotel has 71 deluxe twin rooms and 14 deluxe double rooms having a base rate of Rs 8,500, and nine suites at a base rate of Rs 15,000. There is a banquet hall of 5,200 sqft, three conference halls, swimming pool with steam and sauna, kids pool, Ofuro (Japanese public bath), gymnasium and amphitheatre for 200 people. It is the first hotel in Gaya with video conferencing and high speed Wi-Fi facility."

Managing director of the hotel Atul Roy, who was also present at the meeting, said safety norms have been followed in construction of the building.

Sprinklers and hydrants have been fitted as fire safety measures and there are closed-circuit television cameras for surveillance purposes. There are doorframe metal detectors and hand held metal detectors as well.

General manager Subrato Poddar said: "We are offering 50 per cent discount to members of Rotary clubs worldwide. Besides, we would come up with a recreation club of which residents can be members against a nominal fee. Such members will also get free outdoor facilities and discounts on paid services."