For years, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall have been among the biggest tourist attractions in Beijing. But these days, the Bird's Nest is giving them a run for their money. From May the 1st, the National Stadium will accept group bookings.
Nine months after the Beijing Summer Olympics, tourists from all over the country still stream into this iconic stadium. The success of the Olympics has turned the structure into a source of national pride, and a popular tourist destination. Revenue from entrance fees has exceeded 150 million yuan, or 22 million US dollars.
Yang Weiying, Vice Director of Consortium Stadium Operation Corp. said "More than three million people have visited the Bird's Nest. At the peak of last year's National Day holiday, we had eighty thousand tourists in a single day."
But such popularity means that tourists have to line up to get tickets. So the stadium's management committee and the China International Travel Agency have come up with a joint solution. The travel agency will be the exclusive agent for group tickets to the stadium.
In addition, a 10 percent discount will be offered during a special May Day promotion.
(CCTV April 27, 2009)
