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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Tourism slow as Olympics approach | Tourism slow as Olympics approach |
| (about 10 hours later) | |
| Michael Bristow BBC News, Beijing Work is under way to get the city ready for the Olympics | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | |
| Hotels, such as China World, say bookings are down | 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. | 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. | "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. | Tourism chiefs blame the negative publicity caused by the snow storms in southern China earlier this year and the Sichuan earthquake. |
| Visa problems | Visa problems |
| But others point to China's tougher visa requirements, which have made it more difficult for tourists to visit the country. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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. | "The Chinese authorities are more interested in the demonstration effect of the Olympics," explained Mr Cheng, of Hong Kong's City University. |
| Following earlier protests, officials are concerned about security | 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." | "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. | 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. | "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? | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | This could put off revellers, but China might think that is a small price to pay if nothing unexpected happens in August. |