Guest guest Posted September 12, 2002 Report Share Posted September 12, 2002 Thursday, September 12, 2002 Tourist spectacle a short-sighted attempt to woo foreign visitors by BILL SAVADOVE South China Morning Post http://columns.scmp.com/colart/sbrief/ZZZ7IJC0W5D.html Shanghai has staked its hopes on competing wild animals and 1980s pop icon Boy George as part of a campaign to lure more tourists to the city. Lacking the historical sites of Beijing and the scenic beauty of Guilin, China's financial centre has been forced to find novel ways to draw visitors. Last year, Shanghai had 2.04 million overseas tourists and 83 million domestic visitors. The city is vying to host the 2010 Expo and open a Walt Disney theme park in a bid to draw tourists. During a month-long tourism festival starting Saturday, the Shanghai Wild Animal Park will hold the " Animal Olympics " with boxing bears, ostrich races and elephants playing football. Not to be outdone by Beijing which will hold the 2008 Olympics, Shanghai will host 300 animal athletes from 30 species which will compete in events such as sea lion golf. An official said the animals would not be harmed in the games. " We want locals not only to know more about the animals but also how to care for them, " park deputy manager Jia Zhenyuan was quoted by a local newspaper as saying. However, spectators should exercise caution. A few years ago, three young Siberian tigers killed a school bus driver in front of a bus-load of students after he got off to repair a breakdown in the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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