Just got a copy of a 10 page report on the preparation of Beijing’s 2008 Olympics, written by the firm Cushman & Wakefield (“Global Real Estate Solutions”):
“After The Games are Over – Feast or Famine? Will Beijing suffer the fate of past host cities or will the games add to the momentum of this growing city?”
Author is said to be Rachael Jones, based in the Shanghai Office. Well, maybe that’s why.
The report seems to be based on solid research, including the experiences of past Olympic cities and comes up with – at face value – convincing figures and statements.
Unfortunately, many of them are plain wrong. It repeats the typical distorted view on the cost of the Olympics (see earlier entry in this blog!), completely misunderstands the so-called “frugal” approach for the stadiums (creating the potential disaster for post-Olympic operation), misses the real risk factors in the post-Olympics, etc. At a first glance, the analysis of the hotel sector also seems dubious.
I did a very detailed study on the former Olympic cities on behalf of the Beijing Government (see our website and the brief about me) as well as a review of the main economic issues for the post-Olympic economy. I also visited some of the locations and discussed with the local governments.
The other curious conclusion (for somebody who is supposed to understand Beijing!) is the impact of the Olympics on the residential real estate. Luckily this is in part corrected by pointing out somehow the underlying need for new housing that has nothing to do with the Olympics.
Our firm had just a series of meetings with real estate investors from different countries and the point of view on the local market were, well, very different.
Well, all good for my ego. Just confirms to me how few people understand what has been going on here, what are the challenges for the Beijing economy – and the real estate sector. So, I better charge more – right people?
Or maybe simply write that book. Well, maybe not. Some people here might not be so happy…
2008 Beijing Olympics
The 500 days countdown to the Olympics: in Browns
On the 27th of March, the European Chamber, AmCham, BenCham and other Chambers organized a joint networking evening at Browns. The pub was fully packed – 292 participants attended. This is one of the types of event I will still attend, if I feel like going out for a beer and relax with some of the friends I know.
Contrary to many others, don’t expect me to go around and distribute my business card to the dozens of people around me. I prefer a chat, a beer, a glass of red wine.
The secret English-speaking society of Beijing
According to Liu Yang, head of the “Beijing Speaks Foreign Languages Program” and the “Office for Standardization of English Translation of Beijing Public Signs” (sic) declared these days in a press conference that at the end of last year 4.87 million Beijing residents were able to speak English. By the time of the 2008 Olympic Games, 5 million people (= “35% of the total population of Beijing”) will speak English. (article of 13 April in Beijing Today)
That’s reassuring for the IOC. They must say again “Beijing is doing great!”
Problem is, I fail to locate those millions of people. Who knows where they are hiding. Maybe they are all pretending not to speak one single word of English as for now and will surprise us all in August 2008.
Till then, don’t venture around in Beijing without a translator or at least the address of your hotel written in Chinese.
The Swissotel is a good example. I don’t think I ever found any driver who knew that hotel by its English name. The hotel exists since long, is one of the landmarks in the area.
But say “Gang Ao Zhong Xin” and they all take you there. (It actually means Hong Kong & Macau Center in Chinese….).
No wonder government officials have credibility issues with announcements like that.
2008 Olympics: can I buy tickets?
On 5 April the Amcham Olympic Forum organized one more interesting panel discussion in the American Club.
The panel was introduced by Adam Steinberg of ASC Wines, co-chair. Sen Yang (now with Adidas…), co-chair also joined. The panel:
– Curt Logan, general manager of ticketmaster
– Alan Dizdarevic, managing director of jet set sports
– Christopher Renner, president of Helios Partners China.
The Exclusive Supplier of Ticketing Services for the 2008 Olympics is Beijing Gehua Ticketmaster Ticketing Co., Ltd. (a JV with ticketmaster).
Curt, Alan, Christopher and Adam; Curt telling his story
The discussions are considered “off the record” and “not for external distribution”.
Problem was, the information provided was very vague, few of the real issues were addressed and I finally know more about the ticket issues – and certainly hotel planning – than what came out that day. Maybe I expected too much or I happen to know quite a bit (I have dozens of unanswered questions!). All that by carefully following the media. So, China Daily and others do bring you some real news.
For me it looks pretty obvious the whole story remains full of holes. How BOCOG will manage the seating arrangements, ticket distribution and other – nobody seems to have a clue or is pretty good of pretending they don’t know. (I am afraid its the first answer)
Anyway, the Amcham has taken some good initiatives around the Olympics. Makes me feel better – hey, I seem to know a lot. Even better, I have many questions nobody never asked and nobody has been able to answer.
And for your information, I am actually not interested to chase tickets. Maybe BOCOG will invite me. Or I will simply watch TV at the Gongti Strip. If any seats are still available, I might even go next door and watch boxing or football.
2008 Olympics: the dreaded clean-up of the city starts showing
As I say since over a year, the biggest risk Beijing faces for the Olympics is the impression it will leave on the media and on the visitors. In their typical zealous paranoia, the authorities will try to shuffle all the stuff they deem inappropriate under the carpet.
They will even provide Bibles in the hotel rooms during the 2008 Olympics. Of course, after the Games, they will be promptly removed. You see, all to clear up “foreigner’s misunderstandings about religion in China”.
Of course they officially and vehemently deny they will make Beijing a sterile and sanitized city (reminds me here of McCain in Baghdad – rings a bell?). Don’t say I didn’t tell you.
Already now migrants are being told that according to their jobs they will have to “take holiday” during the Olympics. No more massage in private rooms, etc. etc.( ED treatment will be suspended, I guess – so, hurry up guys!). Maybe massage will be allowed only by the same sex (I detect here opportunities for Destination?), easy, they can dust off the old regulations (that were never cancelled). So, many of the staff have been given instructions on the “evacuation plan” – who will stay and who will not. Expect many of the entertainment venues to be simply closed down. “Hair cuts” will be difficult. Interesting question: will Destination and Maggie’s still be open? I guess you can answer that question yourself. That will also be a change for the Gongti Strip.
The risk might be, they will chase away so many of the migrants there will be nobody left in the service sector. Beijing residents are not particularly known to be “good” in providing services.
It’s not going to be a “fun Olympics” as it looks like. Will be a bit like watching CCTV on the Eve of Chinese New Year. Yawn. Yawn. One more beer?