Yao Ming's honeymoon attracts copycat tourists

BEIJING, Aug 16 (Reuters) Chinese people have been packing travel agencies asking to follow in the honeymoon footsteps of China's most popular sporting hero, basketball star Yao Ming, domestic media reported today.

China's richest sportsman, Yao, and his bride, Ye Li, a basketball player with China's national team, got married earlier this month in their hometown Shanghai. They are honeymooning somewhere in Europe, the Information Times said.

Since then, travel agencies have received increasing inquiries from clients about booking the same trip to Europe, hoping to ''bump into'' the couple, it said, even though nobody knows for sure exactly where they have gone.

''In a sense, Yao Ming and Ye Li are promoting tourism in Europe,'' a travel agent was quoted as saying.

But as the couple have not publicised their exact whereabouts, travel agencies cannot satisfy their clients' wishes, it said, adding that Yao would be back in China by the end of the month due to national sporting commitments.

''It would be impossible to bump into them if tourists apply now... but fans can still follow in the steps of the big star later this year, when Yao's travels are publicised,'' travel agent Chen Zhichao was quoted as saying.

The newspaper also said that a scenic area near Tai Lake in eastern Zhejiang province had suddenly shot up in popularity after the couple -- Yao in a tuxedo and Ye in a white veiled gown -- were spotted having wedding photos taken there.

REUTERS SU KN1440