Asian Omnibus Shows Beijing Best for Olympics 2008

Asia Market Intelligence (AMI) has recently unveiled results from its regional Asian omnibus study AsiaBUS. The latest findings have highlighted that a large majority of Asians are distinctly in favour of the city of Beijing acting as host to the forthcoming 2008 Olympic Games.

In detail, the research proved that 89% of respondents overall placed Beijing at the top of their list of places. Regionally, those living in Beijing itself were unanimously behind their home city acting as host, while Guangzhou and Shanghai residents also showed strong local support. A recorded 99% and 97% of these respondents respectively voted for Beijing.

Apart from these results, Hong Kong and Singapore secured a higher level of support for hosting compared to other countries across the region. Outside of Asia, nominated cities Toronto and Paris tied as the second most popular host choice. Some 4% of all respondents supported each city. At the same time, while Koreans and Taiwanese were more in favour of Toronto (8% and 6%) and Paris (6% and 5%), Indonesian respondents were more likely to have supported Osaka (8%) followed by Paris (5%) as their second and third preferences.

Managing director of AMI International, Tim Balbirnie noted "The IOC's decision to award the Olympic Games 2008 to Beijing received overwhelming support across Asia, with 60% of all those interviewed claiming they were satisfied with the choice of venue. This is very positive news for China and should add an extra boost of confidence for the nation as it builds its plans for 2008."

AMI's survey took place across 10 Asian cities and involved interviews among 5,626 people during 2001.

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.