Beijing tourism to grow after Olympics says ABTA

Beijing should expect to see a tourism benefit from hosting the Olympic Games, but may have to wait for a period of time to see this materialize, according to comments made by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).

A spokesman for the UK travel association, Sean Tipton, remarked that cities hosting the Olympics do not normally see a substantial benefit from incoming tourism while the Games are underway.

In fact, many people stay away during the actual events, assuming that the cost of accommodation will be high and that the choice will be limited, and sports fans are not as likely to make their way to the Olympics as they are to travel to a cricket tour or the football World Cup.

In future terms, however, the exposure that an event such as the Olympics generates does typically lead to a real boost in tourist numbers. In this case, it would benefit Beijing, and also most likely China in general, in future years, explained Tipton.

“It is always very beneficial for the countries chosen in the following years because it attracts a lot of attention, puts the idea of travelling to that country in people’s minds and also because there is so much money being spent on infrastructure,” he added.

“It means that places become a lot more attractive to tourists.”

The example of Athens was given, which the spokesman indicated has turned into one of the top city break destinations after the city had spent “an absolute fortune” in improvements in preparation for the 2004 Olympics.

www.abta.com