The new stricter visa regulations for foreigners visiting China is hurting tourism even with the Olympics just over a month away. Tourism in May was down 14 per cent.

“Business is so bleak,” said Di Jian, the sales manager at the Capital Hotel in Beijing. “Since May, very few foreigners have checked in. Our occupancy rate has dropped by 40 percent.”

After reading how same-sex marriages is going to provide a boost to the Californian economy perhaps the Chinese government could pass a similar law in Beijing to help tourism in the capital.

Zoe Caratas, Sales Director of the Ramada Plaza hotel in West Hollywood, said that occupancy rates had soared since the California Supreme Court overturned the same-sex marriage ban on May 16.

“It has definitely increased the occupancy rate, especially for next week,” Caratas said. “We are almost completely sold out on Tuesday (when marriage licenses will become available to couples), and the same goes for the remainder of the week. Normally, our occupancy is not as high during the week.”

I know it’s a stupid idea, but who would of imagined that a city hosting the Olympic games would actually bring a drop in tourist numbers.