Return to main articleTravel Predictions for 2008
Prediction: The Beijing Olympics will help tourism to China, though not nearly as much as the Chinese think.
Reason: Let's face it: the Chinese aren't going to let anything unforeseen happen—logistically, anyway—at the Beijing Olympics. They'll showcase Beijing as what it is: a beautiful, historic city (even if some of the historic areas are disappearing). But for Westerners, China is still a beast to navigate and will remain so: language and cultural differences make the country tough to see without a guide. And though the interest of travelers will be piqued by the Games, there won't be a corresponding number who follow through with travel plans.
Dean Kaufman
