Overseas tourists are predicted to spend as much as US$4.5 billion during the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

Domestic tourists are expected to spend 215 billion yuan and the flow of tourists in Olympic cities as well as other regions in China is expected to increase sharply.

Liu Yongchun, Vice Executive Chairman of China UnionPay, said foreign tourists may apply for a UnionPay card.

China UnionPay is making a great effort to expand its services. By the end of 2007, bank cards will be able to be used in more than 80 percent of important districts in Olympic cities, and foreigners will be able to change UnionPay tourist cards with their local cards as soon as they arrive in China, said Liu.

Foreigners will also be able to withdraw funds with their own cards by then, added Liu.

By People's Daily Online