TTGasia.com, Jun 20 – 26, 2008

However, this spate of new hotel openings seems at odds with a report released by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Statistics in early May, which showed that Beijing’s inbound tourist numbers decreased more than five per cent in April. Spokesman, Ms Yu Xiuqin, attributed the decrease partly to Beijing’s tightened visa approvals for foreign visitors for international exhibitions and conferences.
Some tour operators lay fears of slower hotel traffic to rest – the city’s existing five-star hotels have enjoyed high-occupancy rates in the lead-up to the Games. Because the Beijing government has barred national and international conferences and events in August and September, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences exhibitions) and other events are rushing into the city before the August 1 cut-off.

>>Full article