Exodus to the Olympic Games

A MASS exodus of Australian tourists and corporate heavyweights to Beijing is forecast for August's Olympic Games.

With just 181 days to go to the world's biggest sporting event, Australia's airlines and travel agents are bracing themselves for a huge increase in passengers.

Research by the Pacific Asia Travel Association has found 12 per cent, or 2.4 million Australians, wanted to visit Beijing for the Games from August 8-24.

More than 50 per cent of Aussies said they were considering travelling to Asia within the year.

PATA also says Beijing airport will have to deal with more than 25,000 extra flights just in August.

Travel agent giants Flight Centre predict an airline seating shortage in late July with more than 125,000 international visitors expected in Australia for Pope Benedict XVI's first Australian visit for World Youth Day.

Flight Centre marketing general manager Colin Bowman said those wanting to fly home after the Pope's visit would make it even harder for Olympic fans trying to get to Beijing.

Mr Bowman said the usual seat shortage on some international routes from June to August would worsen because of the major events clash.

"Given the massive international interest in World Youth Day and the expected influx of tourists, we expect heightened availability problems around that time as travellers make their way to and from Australia," Mr Bowman said.

"Travel via Asia will be affected because of the Olympics in China in August."

Some of Australia's most powerful executives will also jet to the Chinese capital to mix with company bosses from around the world.

Business Club Australia promotions manager David Buckley said a Beijing hotel would become the headquarters for a series of networking sessions endorsed by the Australian Olympic Committee.

Major Australian banks, insurance companies, and mining corporations are among those expected to make the trip.