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With airlines rapidly expanding their networks and introducing new routes, hotel companies rushing to open more properties, and the government racing to improve tourism infrastructure before the Olympic Games next August, there's no doubt that tourism to China is on a serious upswing. The country is already seeing more visitors than ever before, and tourism will likely ride the high long after the athletes collect their medals and go home.
All this added infrastructure brings China into the realm of travel possibility for people who might have previously considered the country too expensive to reach or too difficult to navigate. That's not to say booking for travel during the Olympics will be easy though, since you'll have to contend with the competition for accommodations, tickets, and activities that comes with the massive influx of spectators. However, increased options on the air and accommodations fronts will make things easier for Olympic and post-Games travelers than ever before.
Airlines
U.S. airlines have been locked in heated battle for new routes to China, and last month, six of them came away victorious. Most triumphant are Delta and United, which will begin flying between Atlanta and Shanghai, and San Francisco and Guangzhou, respectively, in spring 2008. Approval will likely come soon for routes from four more airlines starting in 2009: American between Chicago and Beijing, Continental's Detroit-to-Shanghai route, Northwest between Detroit and Shanghai, and US Airways' Philadelphia-to-Beijing route. These new itineraries mark the first major effect of the recent U.S.-China open skies agreement, created in part to make access between the two countries easier and more affordable.
Meanwhile, Air China has announced codeshares with Cathay Pacific and is working toward joining Star Alliance, alongside airlines such as United and US Airways. And China Southern Airlines, which connects Los Angeles with Guangzhou, has just launched a new English-language ticketing site.
Hotels
Airlines aren't the only travel providers betting on China. Hotel companies are also racing to stake a claim. Best Western hopes to become the largest hotel chain in Asia within three years, and plans to have 50 hotels in China in the next five years. Starwood, which runs Sheraton, W, and Westin Hotels, already has more than 30 properties and is building dozens more. Marriott expects to have 11 hotels in Beijing alone by next August, and anticipates opening another 20 by 2010. And, Accor will open 18 more hotels in China this year, and plans to have over 120 hotels around the country by 2008.
Tourism infrastructure
Rising to meet the tide of visitors are new infrastructures such as airport terminals and better transportation options.
Beijing Capital International Airport will open its new terminal next year in time for the Olympics. The terminal, which has been celebrated as both beautiful and technologically advanced, will be among the world's largest.
A new bicycle rental network in Beijing will have 200 locations throughout the city and offer 50,000 bikes by August of next year. And, to speed travel throughout China, bullet trains that cut travel times between major cities by 50 percent were introduced earlier this year. According to TravelMole.com (registration required), there will be more than 500 bullet trains in operation by the year's end.
Put it all together and what have you got? A country that's accessible like never before. The increase of major travel providers will not only bring an element of familiarity (which can be a bane or a boon, depending on your travel style), but the headlong rush by so many companies to claim ground in China means that the competition for tourism dollars should keep rates reasonable for most travel periods. Unfortunately, it may not hold true during the Olympics, when the demand is predicted to far exceed the supply. Scoring availability and the best possible rates during the Olympics will be a competition in itself.
The Olympics
Gymnasts, swimmers, and sprinters around the world have, in recent months, been competing for a place at next year's Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Likewise, if you're serious about getting maximum value out of your trip to the world's premier sporting competition, you should be locking in your place at the Games now. Here are a few important tips to know before you book.
Booking a place to stay will be a competitive sport
According to the China Economic Review, about three million spectators are expected to pass through Beijing during the Olympics, but the city will have only about 420,000 rooms. As if that's not enough, prices on airfare, hotels, and other travel commodities are expected to quadruple between now and next August.
