The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be a spur
to Asia's tourism industry as many people looking to attend the
event also plan to spend time exploring other parts of China and
Asia, according to a recent industry survey.
Almost nine out of 10 people planning to visit Beijing for the
Olympics will visit other Chinese cities if time permits, while
three out of four will visit other destinations, with Hong Kong the
most likely stop, followed by Singapore and Japan.
The annual survey jointly conducted by the Pacific Asia Travel
Association (PATA) and Visa International Asia Pacific identified
travelers from India, the Republic of Korea and the United States
as "the top three markets most likely to make the journey to the
Games".
PATA President and CEO Peter de Jong said the 2008 Olympic Games
would not only be a draw card for Beijing but also generate inbound
travel within China and benefit neighboring destinations.
"All markets in the region stand to benefit from the Games," he
said.
The survey of the travel intention of more than 5,000 people
from 10 markets over the next two years has identified China as one
of the "five most popular destinations for those planning to visit
Asia".
One in five said that the Beijing Olympic Games would be the
primary reason for their visit. Respondents who said they were
likely to visit China listed the fact that China was "a good place
to shop" as a key feature.
Tourism experts have estimated that Beijing will receive 4.5
million tourists in 2008. The number of overseas visitors to
Beijing has grown by an average of 7 percent annually since 2001,
when the city won the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games,
official figures reveal.
Industry analysts said that inbound spending by visitors to the
2008 Olympic Games will reach US$4.5 billion.
To maximize potential economic benefits, the Beijing Organizing
Committee for the Games has mapped out a Beijing Olympics Action
Plan to develop tourist products with unique cultural flavors and
to offer more shopping facilities for tourists and athletes during
the Olympic Games.
(Xinhua News Agency May 3, 2007)