Olympic-themed Tourism Gets Under Way in Beijing

Almost from the moment that Beijing Mayor Wang Qishan officially received the symbolic Olympic flag from the president of the Athens Games’ organising committee, the world’s eyes began to turn to the Chinese capital both as the focus and host of the 2008 Olympics. From a world perspective, it is still early days yet before the tempo of the lead-up to August 2008 starts to quicken in line with people’s rising expectations about the Chinese capital’s Games plans. At present, if anything, there is equal global focus on which city will be chosen to host the 2012 Olympics.

Not that Beijing, nor its Olympics organising committee, BOCOG, are letting anything important pass by as they make their plans to stage a truly memorable Games. Some plans are already known, others are in the pipeline. Venues have been chosen, changed, cancelled, redesigned or whatever. And some are now actually being built, in some instances well ahead of schedule.

Indeed, such has been Beijing’s preparatory progress that the International Olympic Committee (IOC), while awed at the speed with which Beijing and BOCOG operate, have asked that they slow down a bit in their preparations. This is the first time in Modern Olympiad history that such a request has been made. Usually, the IOC finds itself urging host cities to speed up lest the Games fail to open on time. Athens was a good example of this, though it made it in the end and hosted an excellent Games.

But Beijing’s preparatory pot needs to be kept on the boil, hence the official decision for 2005 to be “The Year for Olympic-themed Tourism”.

Under this theme, a series of activities will be held, starting this month. According to Wen Ziji, vice-director of Beijing Tourism Administration, the schedule will operate under the heading “Explore the Glamour of Chinese Culture”. Timetable:

May-September

Beijing – Olympic City Through Foreigners’ Eyes Photo Competition

This is open to foreign tourists and foreigners living in Beijing. Sponsored by Beijing Tourism Administration, the contest is organised by Beijing This Month Publications. This is an excellent chance for foreigners to express their feelings about the city through pictures. Further information: log on to www.btmbeijing.com

July 13-29

International Youth Carnival

Youths from more than 10 countries and regions which have hosted an Olympics will be invited to sing their host city’s Olympic theme song.  

July 15-25

Climbing the Great Wall Contest

This boils down to competition between young Chinese and foreigners.

“Future Olympic Stars” – International Friendship Youth Basketball Tournament.

Mid-August

Eighth Beijing International Cultural Tourism Festival

Matters to be discussed at an Olympic-themed tourism promotion meeting at the New Century Hotel on June 21 include the introduction of high-level expertise for the management of cultural heritage sites; the introduction of foreign professional management into low-grade hotels and hostels; the setting up of a service centre for individual visitors during the 2008 Olympics; and the introduction of city-tour bus service cooperatives.

Thai Airways China Sets up Shop in Beijing

Despite the widespread damage to South-east Asia’s tourism industry by last year’s Boxing Day tsunami, Thailand – among the major victims – is still trying hard to attract more travellers to its Land of Smiles.

In the thick of the country’s attempts is Thai Airways’ new China team, led by Pruet Boobphakam, who had earlier worked for the airline in Frankfurt, Paris, Stockholm and Kuala Lumpur. Currently, he and his team are strongly promoting Thai Airways’ new aircraft while organizing a new office, promoting a logo, and introducing new technology.

Thai Airways is to use Airbuses on its China routes, brand new aircraft claimed to offer more space and improved technology to travellers. Currently, an additional daily flight to Beijing is under negotiation. It is expected to begin operation on May 1, after which the airline will operate six non-stop flights weekly from Bangkok to New York.

The new logo, which has a more corporate approach than in the past, has been in use for the past two months. Cooperation between TravelSky Technology Ltd., and Thai Airways International Public Company Ltd., holds good promise of a successful future for development.

As a leading provider of information and solutions to China’s civil aviation and tourism industries, TravelSky has developed a platform to provide online e-ticketing, seat allocation, hotel bookings, car rentals, weather forecasts, message delivering and an online CRS service for airlines and travel agents.Austrian Airlines’ Decade of Growth in China

Austrian Airlines is celebrating 10 years of steady growth in China during the visit to the country of Austrian Chancellor Dr. Wolfgang Schüssel, who led the Austrian delegation aboard the inaugural non-stop Vienna-Beijing flight 10 years ago. At that time he was Austria’s minister of economic affairs.

Initially limited to twice weekly departures from Beijing, the airline’s flights were soon increased, with Shanghai added to the network. At present, the airline offers 11 flights per week from China to Vienna, six of them from Beijing and the remainder from Shanghai. From the very beginning, flights were operated under a code-share agreement with Air China, a partnership that has blossomed over the years. A Freesale Agreement was signed between the two companies in October, 2004.

Austrian Airlines’ group chief commercial officer, Dr. Josef Burger, commented, "Ten years ago, the integration of Beijing into the route network of Austrian Airlines was a milestone in our development and expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. Today, Austrian Airlines is Europe's fourth largest carrier in the Pacific Rim with no fewer than 16 destinations in this dynamic economic region."

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the airline has organised a special "10 YEARS – 10,000 XTRAMILES" promotion from May 1 to August 31 this year. Travellers residing in China and flying a round trip with the airline between China and Vienna can earn 10,000 additional miles on their frequent-flyer award programmes. Passengers need only register online at www.aua.com/cn to be eligible for this bonus.

Finnish Tourist Board Promotes its Homeland in China

The Finnish Tourist Board (MEK), along with co-operators such as its national airline, Finnair, last month introduced its Spring promotion in Harbin, Ji’nan, Hangzhou and Shenzhen.

The promotions aim to convince tourism industry insiders and local media of Finland’s rich tourism resources, and to present new tour routes for China’s tour agents. A major example is Finland’s Silja Line cruise trips. Harbin and Ji’nan tourists were recommended to sample two routes – the polar regions and Finnish city tours.

MEK, established in 1973 to promote tourism and work in close cooperation with and for Finland’s tourism and travel industries, also implements and finances marketing projects jointly with the industries and develops more enticing, competitive products for tourists.

China a Beneficiary of Greece’s Accelerated Tourism Promotion

This year’s BITE (Beijing International Tourism Expo), organised by Beijing Tourism Administration, will be held at Beijing Exhibition Centre from June 22-24. Following the spectacular debut of BITE 2004, this second presentation is set to be another extravaganza in China’s tourism industry and in other parts of the world. BITE 2005 will have an area of 15,000sq m, half of which will be used for exhibition purposes.

Conference & Exhibition Management Services Pte. Ltd., (CEMS), the international organizer of this event, has announced that Greece, BITE 2005 partner country, will be taking part for the first time and renting 1,300sq.m. Dr. Aristidis Calogeropoulos-Stratis, President of the National Tourism Organisation of Greece, visited Beijing to prepare for the event.

He said that, on the one hand, Greece is ready to help Beijing in its Olympic tourism marketing and, on the other, his country will strengthen its tourism promotion in Asia, especially China. In forthcoming months, Beijingers will see the opening of a Greek representative office by the National Tourism Organisation. The first of its kind in Asia, it will supervise matters relevant to tourism in the region and act as a gateway to Greece for tourists. Beijing will organize a similar institution in Greece.

Greece’s major participation in BITE 2005 will also include promotion of the overall image of the country’s tourism industry, and the reinforcement of the country’s friendly relations with China, which go hand-in-hand with the two countries’ cultural and sports links.

By the end of April, BITE 2005 had attracted more than 500 exhibitors, 170 of whom are from 60 countries. CEMS has brought in a PSA (pre-schedule appointment) system for buyers who wish to make appointments with exhibitors online.