Podcast

Games provide tourism windfall

Updated: 2010-08-05 14:46

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With some 150,000 overseas and 500,000 domestic tourists expected in Guangzhou during the Asian Games, its global image is in for a boost, along with its coffers.

Yin Tao, director of the Institute of Industrial Economy and Enterprise Management under the Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences, said the city's tourism revenue is expected to receive $80 million from overseas tourists and 1 billion yuan ($147 million) from domestic ones during the Games.

In preparation for the influx of visitors, the city's transport network, telecommunications systems and tourism facilities have all been upgraded, along with improvements to the quality of its air and water, Yin said.

Michelle Caporicci, general manager of the Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou, said the hotel anticipated a steady stream of bookings, including tourists, delegations from participating countries and members of the Asian Games committee.

"The Games will change people's perception of Guangzhou as primarily a business destination, so we are expecting many more domestic tourists in Guangzhou," she said.

"Local corporations are taking this opportunity to invite guests to Guangzhou to showcase the city's potential.

The Games will also attract local tourists from the Pearl River Delta and neighboring cities, because of their proximity," she said.

The province's tourism industry is expected to continue to benefit after the Games, especially due to all the improvements that have been made in the host city, she added.

Guangzhou had 118 million tourists last year, which generated 99.404 billion yuan in tourism revenue, including $3.624 billion in foreign currency, according to the tourism administration of Guangzhou.

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（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）

About the broadcaster:

Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.