The Beijing Olympics would bring 20 billion yuan (about US$ 2.7 billion)
of business volume to the country's catering industry, according to a report
released by China Cuisine Association (CCA).
"The Olympics would provide an unprecedented opportunity to the catering
business in Beijing, which normally stands at 24 billion yuan a year," said Bian
Jiang, CCA spokesman.
During the Games next year, China will receive some 280,000 athletes,
referees and news reporters and other work staff from more than 200 countries
and regions, according to statistics with the BOCOG (Beijing Organizing
Committee for the Games of the Olympiad).
The report said these people would enjoy diversified and high-quality
catering services. "Oriental food," said Bian, "such as Chinese, Japanese and
Korean food, would take up 30 percent of the total dishes, a substantial
increase from previous ten to 20 percent."
Besides, about five million overseas tourists and more than 120million
domestic travelers will visit Beijing in 2008 and seven million spectators will
watch the games on spot, according to official statistics.
