Shanghaiist: The Great Olympic Meltdown: Beijing hotels slash rates after foreign tourists fail to show up

Bumix

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:41:11 +0800

Next to football triple jump is my favorite sport!

eastman

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:48:03 +0800

To Stephan_Larose --"displacing millions without compensation for the 3 Gorges Dam... over 1 million evictions for Olympic construction"? I guess you not only ate what you were fed but also the spoon as well.

Stephan_Larose

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:40:35 +0800

It's true and a bit sad that the China's Olympic PR blitz doesn't seem to have been as effective as they'd hoped. It's difficult for people outside China to understand that it is impossible to have the kind of development that raises half a billion people out of abject poverty without some pretty awful side affects i.e. displacing millions without compensation for the 3 Gorges Dam, torturing Tibetan nuns, over 1 million evictions for Olympic construction, and the countless other abuses that occurred before the government's recent serious drive to reduce corruption. I think we've seen a decline in the rate of these abuses though, but it'll be up to progressive Chinese, such as journalists Li Datong and Zhang Ping to encourage people to think critically and reject their government's paternal, condescending attitude. All that aside, it's still hard to attract people from free, clean countries to the most polluted country on earth, where you could be arrested just for wearing a t-shirt with some political slogan on it. You don't have to be a "neo con" to make that connection... Still, if you actually care about triple jump and rowing, you gotta hope the Olypics rock!

Pirx

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:17:22 +0800

Ride on! I moved away from Beijing, after my landlord offered me 4-times the normal rent for June and July, and 15-times the normal rent for August and September. I will be back in Beijing in October and squeeze the rent to rock-bottom. That will be a feast!

booggerg

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:56:45 +0800

Why to "these people" Need to stay in a youth hostel so badly such that if they can't stay in a hostel, they'll no longer visit Beijing? Why not just get a 2 or 3 star hotel then? What a freakin' joke! Is this a ridiculous attempt to keep true to the backpackers' mentality?

EPM

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:25:53 +0800

there was a great article in the WSJ last week about the problem of offering VIP treatment when there are so many VIPS. Problems with all the private jets coming in etc. It's telling how all the high end stuff has long been booked out,but all the mid range stuff is still empty. This gap between those going 'for show' and those that are there actual fans/tourist to me signifies how much guanxi you need to run shit in china, it's all top down and from the inside. Actually attending the opening ceremonies and world-sponsor-reception-dinner makes ivy league admissions look like pushovers. The opening ceremonies is simply a shallow nightclub for the world's elite. Thank god I scored an opening ceremony ticket and reception dinner invite, it's going to be the most ball'er shit ever. /I'll show myself out

puhlease

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:50:48 +0800

@eastman I'll ask again: how old are you?

eastman

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:41:31 +0800

I guess hotels will be full after the news that Beijing will set up specially designated zones, three public parks, for protesters during next month's Olympics. i know your sandal wearing faked liberals and "reporter-without-father" are only interested in China bashing new sport and in serving as foot-soldiers on the bandwagon of neo-con's geopolitical agenda. So Good luck, but no sleep on streets, naked or stink or not, as you guys always do, with or without a visa. lol!

taihanasie

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:48:13 +0800

"Many people outside China couldn't gives a rats arse about these Games." I don't think this is relevant, as many people do care. The amusing thing is just seeing people who were looking to profit off of the situation squirm, and I am not referring to the hotels. The landlords who forced out otherwise good tenants deserve it. RMB400 for a hostel in China is absurd though. 1) Chinese have cheaper places to stay; 2) Average hostel types will be put off the prices; 3) Those who spent so much money to come to the city from abroad will probably just spend a little extra to get the comfort of a hotel room.

puhlease

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:31:32 +0800

Many people outside China couldn't gives a rats arse about these Games.

eastman

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:20:20 +0800

--"Beijing landlords...only to find the world now crashing on them." I think the right wording should be "world has to crash on them", without a visa.