The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games have helped to see a boom in China's tourism industry with the international sporting event leaving an abundant legacy to build upon. The country is also seeking cooperation opportunities with other countries. Our reporter Wang Lei has more.
Reporter:
The host and co-host cities of the Beijing Olympics have seen a remarkable increase in the number of tourists during the National Day holiday. Beijing received over 380,000 people on the first day of the vacation, with 18,000 of them visiting the Olympic green area. Here is one of them.
"I have come specially to visit the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube, as well as some other Olympic venues."
The Beijing Games not only showcased China's unique culture and contributed to improving the city's infrastructure; it also raised the overall quality of service related industries such as travel, accommodation, tourism and catering.
Wang Peixian is general manager of the China Commercial International Travel Service.
"We have been waiting so long for an opportunity like this to develop tourism. The Olympic legacies are having a clear-cut impact in promoting our tourist industry. Until now, we have received and organized tens of thousands of people and groups."
As a global tourist destination, it is believed that China will benefit long term from the recent Olympic Games.
Dai Bin is deputy director of the China Tourism Academy.
"The Beijing Olympics has been the greatest tourism advertisement for the capital, the co-host cities and even the whole country. It will trigger people's interest in China across the world. In the long term, the success of the Olympic Games has offered China's tourism industry a historic opportunity for restructuring and upgrading."
China's tourism authorities have already started advertising campaigns to seek to capitalize on the success of the Olympics. Developers from nearby countries like Japan are considering joining in to develop tourism in this part of the world.
Reports from the China Academy of Tourism indicate that the Olympic impact will last for three to five years, with a 7% increase of inbound travelers every year.
Wang Lei, CRI news.
