Italy's Olympic venue a pacesetter for Chinese resorts

Livigno has approximately 22,000 beds available for visitors, divided equally between apartments and hotels. It is home to 115 km of ski slopes, 30 km of cross-country tracks, 3,200 km of bike trails and 1,500 km of trekking routes, plus a variety of duty-free shops and authentic Italian gourmet experiences at a number of resorts.

"New facilities have been built and more will be built. A strong legacy for the area (is expected)," Moretti said.

Running a cozy 10-bedroom hotel tucked in a valley about 50 minutes away by bus from the Mottolino resort, Letizia Bianchini had never expected to welcome as many Chinese guests as she has this week. A group of Chinese media personnel and spectators have almost entirely booked her 30-year-old wooden villa.

The 73-year-old "Mamma Boss" said the Games had opened a new market for small businesses like the Bianchini's family-run hotel Meuble Rosalpina. She added she couldn't be happier.

"Yes, we have hosted Chinese visitors occasionally before, but not as many as this year," Bianchini told China Daily.

"I wish we'd have more of them. The Olympics have shown how beautiful our valley here is and how much fun a mountain holiday stay here is."

According to Milan-based Elan Travel, an agency specializing in serving Chinese visitors, the interest in winter vacations centered around skiing in the Italian Alps has been rising steadily.

"Each winter, we welcome groups of Chinese tourists with the number ranging from 3,500 to 5,000," said Antonio Chen, an agency employee. "Accessible resorts around Milan, such as Piani di Bobbio, are among the most popular destinations, while Livigno is getting known."