By IANS
Beijing : Next year’s Beijing Olympics would bring 20 billion yuan ($2.7 billion) in business to China’s catering industry, according to a report by the China Cuisine Association (CCA).
“The 2008 Olympics would provide an unprecedented opportunity to the catering industry trade in Beijing, which normally stands at 24 billion yuan a year,” revealed CCA spokesman Bian Jiang.
During the Games, China will host 280,000 athletes, referees, journalists and other workers from more than 200 countries and regions, according to the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games (BOCOG).
The report said these people would enjoy diversified and high-quality catering services.
“Oriental food, such as Chinese, Japanese and Korean food, will make up 30 percent of the total dishes, a substantial increase from previous 10 to 20 percent,” said Bian.
About five million overseas tourists and more than 120 million domestic travellers will visit Beijing during 2008 and seven million spectators are expected to watch the games at the venues, according to official statistics.