Beijing is expected to receive about 450,000 overseas tourists during the Olympic Games, for a total added income of over 400 million U.S. dollars.

Xiong Yumei, deputy director of Beijing Tourism Administration, believes the games will boost the tourism industry both in Beijing and other parts of the country.

"Beijing's infrastructure has been improved ahead of the Olympics, and that will promote tourism in the city. The Olympic Games will also help improve service quality in hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions."

The official said Beijing is well prepared to accommodate global travelers during the Olympics, with nearly 340,000 hotel rooms ready for service.

By the end of May, the reservation rate for five-star hotels in Beijing had reached nearly 80 percent, over 8 percent higher than during the same period last year.

To cater to the needs of foreign tourists, the city is training more than 200,000 people in language, professional ethics, Olympic knowledge, and etiquette. Accommodation guide books have also been published in eight languages, and a hotline will be set up to offer 24-hour information service.

(source:cri.cn)