The "Water Cube", National Aquatics Centre, one of
the main halls for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. (file photo)

Travel agencies in Guangdong province are gearing up for a business boom following the Beijing Olympics by focusing on outbound travel services and opening specially designed routes to the Games' host city.

"We will see a busy week, shortly after the Beijing Olympic Games, for registration of the outbound services during the upcoming National Day holiday," said Chen Zhichao, deputy general manager of the Nanhu Travel Agency.

According to Chen, routes to Canada, the United States, Europe and Taiwan will be most popular.

"The number of travelers for these routes is expected to increase by 30 percent during the National Day holiday, compared with the same period last year," Chen said.

Chen attributed the increasing number to the post-Olympics effect, noting that many mainlanders have been very eager to "go out" after the Games.

The "Bird's Nest", Beijing National Stadium, one of
the main halls for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. (cnsphoto)

"Most people stayed at home to watch the games. But they will come to us for traveling overseas after that," Chen said.

Usually, people rush to travel agencies in early August to register for services during the National Day holiday. But this year, the peak registration period was pushed back because of the Games.

"The number of registered travelers for domestic and overseas travel services in August was cut by almost 10 percent," Chen said.

To attract more potential travelers, the agency has issued a series of preferential policies for early registration, and the package price will also be relatively reduced, according to Chen.

In addition to outbound services, routes to Beijing and other co-host cities of the Games, including Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenyang and Hong Kong, will also be popular, Chen said.

"People may just want to visit the Games venues, particularly the Birds Nest and Water Cube," Chen said.

According to a survey by Ctrip Travel Net, more than 70 percent of interviewees said that they most wanted to visit Beijing after the Games.

Meanwhile, Tang Qiting, marketing manager of the CGZL Travel Service Ltd, said that packaged-tour prices to Beijing after the Games are expected to be cut by almost 30 percent, compared with prices this month.

"More routes to remote northwestern and southwestern areas will be opened in the coming autumn," Tang said.

Gu Shuncai, director of the Guangzhou Travel Industrial Association, said: "The golden National Day holidays, which follow shortly after the Beijing Olympic Games, will be a turning point for business growth of local travel companies".

Natural disasters, such as the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan and the month-long rainy season in South China in June, coupled with the Beijing Olympic Games, have dampened local people's zest for traveling, according to Gu.

"As a result, the upcoming National Day holiday will be a key period for travel agencies to maintain their business target this year," Gu said.