Everybody jumped.
Posted on 07/14/2008 1:55:54 PM PDT by traumer
Beijing's forthcoming Olympic Games does not appear to be drawing as many people to the capital as expected this year.
Figures show the number of international tourists visiting the Chinese capital fell by more than 14% in May compared to the year before.
Officials had hoped the Olympics would help attract increasing numbers of foreign tourists to Beijing throughout the year and beyond.
But tougher visa requirements, and concerns that officials are more worried about security than organising a party, appears to have dampened demand.
Figures from the Beijing Tourism Bureau show there were far fewer visitors from Japan, South Korea and the United States - three big markets - in May.
China World Hotel, Beijing Hotels, such as China World, say bookings are down
A number of new hotels have been built for an Olympic opening, others have been refurbished, but many say business is slow.
"Our business in June and for July is not as good as last year. There are now fewer foreign tourists," said a spokeswoman from Beijing's Swiss Hotel.
Tourism chiefs blame the negative publicity caused by the snow storms in southern China earlier this year and the Sichuan earthquake.
Visa problems
But others point to China's tougher visa requirements, which have made it more difficult for tourists to visit the country.
And it is not only tourists that have been affected - foreign businesses operating in China and individuals living here have also complained.
Businessmen say it has become harder to travel into China, and many long-term foreign residents in Beijing have had difficulties renewing their visas.
Some visa applicants now have to provide hotel vouchers, onward or return tickets and an invitation letter before being allowed into the country.
Dos and don'ts
And those who make it to Beijing for the games face a number of restrictions that could dampen the party spirit.
A few weeks ago, China issued a "legal guide" for foreigners arriving in China for the Olympics that contained a list of dos and don'ts.
Foreigners will not be allowed to sleep outside, and will have to register with the police within 24 hours if they stay with a Beijing resident.
They are banned from displaying insulting slogans or banners at sports venues or those relating to politics, religion or race.
Following unrest in Tibet earlier this year, officials seem worried about the possibility of anti-government demonstrations.
And in a city where pubs and clubs regularly stay open beyond dawn, the guide states that these must close by 2am.
No desire for party
China is more interested in staging a smoothly run games, without any hiccups, than in hosting a party, according to Professor Joseph Cheng.
"The Chinese authorities are more interested in the demonstration effect of the Olympics," explained Mr Cheng, of Hong Kong's City University.
Chinese boy at Olympic torch relay Following earlier protests, officials are concerned about security
"They see the Olympics as a grand event that will show the growth and modernisation of China, and raise its international status."
China does not see it quite like this, saying thousands of performers will take part in a festival of culture this summer.
"We believe it will be the richest and most diverse in Olympic history," said Olympic official Zhao Dongming, according to state-run news agency Xinhua.
China at its best?
But there is no doubt that the Chinese authorities are leaving nothing to chance in a bid to show Beijing at its best for the games.
Taxi drivers are being exhorted to keep their vehicles clean and tidy - one complained he was fined for having just one hair on a seat.
And there is a public sanitation campaign to stamp out the "four harms" of rats, flies, mosquitoes and cockroaches.
An anti-terrorist force of 100,000 commandoes, soldiers and police officers will be on duty in the weeks running up to, and during, the Olympics.
The increased security presence is clearly visible on Beijing's streets, particularly around foreign embassies and sports venues.
This could put off revellers, but China might think that is a small price to pay if nothing unexpected happens in August.
Well - I am not going....
I know some people that were planning to go but didn’t because of $1200/night hotel rooms, expensive tickets and the overall cost of going. Too much.
Everybody jumped.
Some people won’t go because they have no desire to visit a police state, with all it’s totalitarian trappings.
The tourism probably dropped early in the year because those planning on visiting delayed their trip to coincide with the olympics, or at least with the 8/8/08 auspicious date. Traveling to China ain’t cheap.
You know, when I think vacation, I think of heavily polluted air and water, dingo tenderloin and totalitarian goons.
Well thank heavens it is only THAT, and not xenophobic thinking like SARS, Avian Flu, Falun Gong Organ Banks, poisoned heparin, poisoned wheat gluten, poisoned air, Cat Chow Mein and Dog Foo Yung, that we are more accustomed to hearing about!
As well as having a wide range of internet sites and services blocked, and having all online traffic heavily monitored by Government censors.
Tourists who had planned on bringing a laptop or a smart cellphone into the country may find that it has far more limited use than they had expected.
Yeah, the high price of airline tickets due to fuel costs doesn’t help either.
Amazing how so much malicious traffic can originate there, but so much innocent traffic is blocked from there.
I have a notice on my webmail pages:
" If you are writing from the PRC, I will not get your replies. Your Government has blocked transmission of these messages!"
Not that anyone in China would ever see that, but I leave it up as a taunt for their censors.
There is a site that traces and tells you if your domain is blocked. I suppose they blocked THAT too.
“Well - I am not going....”
I’d rather have a root canal.
Amazing how so much malicious traffic can originate there, but so much innocent traffic is blocked from there.
Add to the astonishingly long list of reasons why not to visit China....by spending money there, you're supporting a country that is actively attempting to undermine and harm the United States on a variety of fronts. Of course one can also say the same thing when you buy a consumer item here in the USA marked "made in China" but at least in that arena it's possible to 'try' to avoid making such a purchase, difficult in many cases as it may be. When you travel to the country, however, you've got no choice in the matter. I don't believe you'll find a wide selection of "Made in the USA" items available in the shops.
Similarly, by going there you're giving a vote of approval of sorts to that Government, something that's highlighted by their list of special laws that visitors must adhere to.
When I go to a business here in the USA and an employee is rude to me or I am mistreated in any way, I will endeavor to never give them my business ever again and I will encourage my friends and acquaintances to do the same. My money is my vote in a way, and I don't wish to vote for the Chinese Government, thank you very much.
I have a notice on my webmail pages:
" If you are writing from the PRC, I will not get your replies. Your Government has blocked transmission of these messages!"
Not that anyone in China would ever see that, but I leave it up as a taunt for their censors.
There is a site that traces and tells you if your domain is blocked. I suppose they blocked THAT too.
Good for you! It's a great reminder of the brutality there for any visitor to your pages....it's essential that people the world over be continually reminded of the multilayered and multifaceted oppression there.
Quite right. The hotel and ticket prices aren’t even factors unless one can get past the totalitarian bit. Not a country I’m in any hurry to visit.
I hope they lose their shirts. The more money they have, the more trouble they can cause.
The Chinees are out to cheat tourists.
For example, they will typically exchange an expensive item with a cheap one when boxing or bagging a purchase for you.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.