The Olympic influence on the host country’s economic and social
development
Abstract
From the Olympic history in the last few decades, the Olympic Games has proven to be a huge
driving force to the host nation's economic and social development, in particular the tourism
industry. In 2002, the “Olympic Games Study Commission” of the IOC published the
“100 years of Olympic Games” report and pointed out the impacts of the Games’ to the
hosting country and city. These impacts can be viewed in five different aspects: (1)
facilitating effect to the tourism industry, (2) boosting host city’s international image, (3)
leaving behind Stadiums and talents, (4) Promoting people’s enthusiasm to sports and (5)
Strengthening people’s unity and cohesion in the host nation.
The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics not only allowed the Americans to recover from the
Vietnam War trauma and revived their spirit to start businesses, but it also brought about
a sharp increase of 100,000 tourists to the country, which has largely facilitated the
development of the tourism industry.
While turning the city into one of the most attractive coastal destinations in Europe, the
1992 Barcelona Olympics has also made Spain the second biggest foreign exchange
generating country out of tourism in the world after America.
According to the statistics of the Australian Tourist Commission, from 1994 to 2004,
foreign tourists visiting Australia increased by 1.32 million while local tourists recorded a
growth of 174,000. Newly-established tourism-related business has brought the country a
foreign exchange that is worth AUD$ 300 millions. The Attraction Tourism Committees
also pointed out the Sydney Olympics had a positive effect on the country’s image for
about 10 years. Obviously, the Olympics plays an active role in promoting the image of
the host city and country.
Source:
Tu Mingde, “2008 Beijing Olympics, turning a new page in the development of China’s tourism industry”,
17 May 2007
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