With the Olympic Games in Beijing rapidly approaching and China announcing tightened visa restrictions as well as rising prices, it seems many travelers, gap year students and sports enthusiasts alike are finding difficulties in getting into the country.

Four years ago when Beijing was announced as the host for the 2008 Olympic Games many worldly sports fans began planning their trips. In the same way that amateur athletes began their strict training regimes. However with time ticking and the Games arrival becoming ever more imminent much controversy has arisen regarding the cost of visas and the accessibility of them.

This week the Chinese Embassy in the UK more than doubled the cost of a tourist visa – a move that will hit Brits planning to head out there for the Beijing Olympics for sure. Under the new fees a family of four heading to the event will now face costs of around £400 in order to obtain their visas.

So why such a price hike?  is the question which many are asking. The official line remains with the news of the Chinese Embassy outsourcing some of the administrative work associated with issuing visas.

Angry visitors whom have been hit by this rise debate whether or not the work even needs to be outsourced or if it does many argue that surely the Chinese embassy should have been able to pre-estimate this need and the costs in advance.

In contrasts many Chinese locals and officials support the increases and see it as a necessary movement in order to get all visas processed in time and the games opening without any problems.

There is also a thought by some that the prices are fair especially when Chinese citizens are forced to pay similar fees when coming to Britain.

Either way, it seems that this year’s games have prompted many a newspaper headline in the years preceding the event. Let’s just hope that as soon as the opening ceremony is underway, the hype surrounding such issues can be forgotten and the games can instead be remembered for exceptional sporting achievements.