Quote:
Originally Posted by whatnext
Indeed. The question isn't "Can Vancouver Host the Summer Olympics" it is "Why on Earth Would Vancouver Want to Host the Summer Olympics?" The 2012 games did what even the Great Recession could not, drove demand down in London hotels, theatres and restaurants. Some reported drops of up to 40%! But thank heavens, they sure put London "on the map", yessir  And of course, we're still waiting here in Vancouver for that huge bonanza of tourists that was supposed to flow from our massive expenditure. |
That's certainly one view of London 2012. The other view (as observed from someone who is actually has been in London for the past couple of weeks) is that the Games was an amazing event that brought Londoners -- and the country -- together, provided a significant boost to national pride, served to regenerate huge swathes of the city that needed it, and provided legacy facilities that will continue to be used in years to come. The Fleet Street rags are quick to smell blood, but when it comes to the Olympics, they have been fully onboard -- and proud of it.
Is it worth the billions of £s that have been spent? I don't know. Maybe there will be a huge hangover when the party is over. But for now, the naysayers are in the tiny minority (or have been drowned out)
Oh, and the 'vast tourism bonanza' for Vancouver after the 2010 games? In the middle of a deepening global economic crisis? Sorry, that seems a bit unfair, maybe even a bit disingenuous. I believe the effects in terms of increased awareness and tourism will be felt over many years. My personal observation from walking around downtown Vancouver this summer is that I'm hearing a heck of a lot more different languages on the street compared with previous years. Not just Asian languages, but German, Spanish, French and eastern European languages as well. Would be interested to find out if anyone else has noticed this.
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