More overseas participants than spectators at Olympics 2008?

BEIJING -Three factors have been cited for dousing enthusiasm over the Olympics. First, because of safety considerations, visa application procedures have become more complicated. More applicants are rejected of their visa application. Secondly, travel agencies are not allowed to sell tickets of the Olympic Games, which is regarded as a disincentive for tourists coming from overseas. And third, initial over-promotions of hotel and air tickets have caused many overseas tourists to seek destinations other than China in the Olympic year.

The result? During the Beijing Olympic Games, except for the large number of people related to the event such as government officials, sponsoring agents, athletes and their family members, the number of ordinary inbound tourists coming to Beijing will not be increased but reduced.