Major International Sporting Events in Asian Nations: Olympic Effects on Tourism - Research Paper Example

Major international sporting events, particularly the Olympics, resulted in major improvements in sports venues and facilities, public infrastructure, transportation, and the creation of new and modern public facilities in Asian nations. The effects of holding the Olympics on tourism activity are generally positive, sometimes, even more after the Olympics than during it, because of the long-term benefits of infrastructure development. The Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games, for instance, led to the construction of sports venues and hotels, as well as supporting communication, manufacturing, and transportation systems (Hwang 17).

Seoul also made similar investments when it held the Olympics in 1988. As for China, it made a huge investment in its effort to rebrand itself as a “global player” as it hosted the Olympics, and tourism industry effects are not significantly evident during the Olympics itself, but more after it (Wnorowski 24). To abide by the requirements of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), China built the Olympic Park and the 37 stadiums and venues that hosted Olympic events (Sands).

China also invested in transportation and infrastructure, as well as urban renewal. Beijing spent more than $200 million to tear down dilapidated housing and urban buildings; renovate 25 historic areas, counting numerous of the city’s landmarks, old streets, and beautiful, four-corner residences that were made during the imperial period; and refurbish Beijing’s many historic places, including the Forbidden City (Sands). China also decreased hotel ownership restrictions to encourage the building of new hotels and similar lodging venues (Sands).