Beijing 'will see long-term benefit of Oympics'

Beijing will see a benefit from the Olympic Games in tourism terms, but may have to wait until some time after the event for it to fully materialise, according to the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta).

Abta spokesman Sean Tipton said that Olympic host cities rarely see a substantial benefit from the sporting event while it is being held.

Many people stay away as they fear that accommodation prices will be unusually high, while sports fans are not as likely to travel to the Olympics as they are to a football World Cup or cricket tour.

However, the exposure generated by the event is likely to lead to a substantial boost in tourism for Beijing and for China as a whole in future years, according to Mr Tipton.

"It is always very beneficial for the countries chosen in the following years because it attracts a lot of attention, puts the idea of travelling to that country in people's minds and also because there is so much money being spent on infrastructure," he said.

"It means that places become a lot more attractive to tourists."

The Abta spokesman gave the example of Athens, which he said has become one of the most popular city break destinations after "an absolute fortune" was invested in improvements for the 2004 Olympic Games.

• British Airways boss underlines Heathrow Airport importance
• Emirates completes move to new terminal in Dubai
• New US airport runways welcomed
• New campaign invites holidaymakers to Paris
• Tokyo 'the world's culinary capital'
• Observation wheel to open in Melbourne
• Visitors offered Christmas bonuses in Brussels
• Stansted Airport eco-certification extended to 2011
• United Airlines to resume flights from London to Denver
• Travellers invited to Australia's cinematic destinations