Destination Beijing: Tourism summit explores new ways to promote capital

Dozens of representatives of overseas travel agencies and study tour institutions recently gathered at the Temple of Heaven for the Beijing Tourism Global Distribution Partnership Summit.

The Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development hosted the summit to explore new mechanisms for global cooperation in tourism and new ways to boost Beijing's inbound tourism market.

The keynote speaker, Cao Pengcheng, shared trends about inbound tourists traveling to China, such as how increasing numbers of tourists enjoy experiencing traditional Chinese arts and crafts, such as calligraphy.

Cao, the vice-deputy of the commission, said Beijing is developing more in-depth theme tours for overseas visitors, ranging from trips revolving around fashion, food, traditional Chinese medicine and sports.

According to Cao, since the end of 2017, a 144-hour visa-free waiver policy for international travelers to Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province has attracted more inbound travelers to the capital. Also, local travel agencies are providing more one- and two-day itineraries.

From January to August, the number of inbound tourist visits reached around 2.62 million, an increase of 3 percent over the same period in 2017.

Beijing will host the International Horticultural Exhibition in 2019 and the World Leisure Congress in 2020. And in 2022, Beijing will be a host city of Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics.

Tourism officials believe that these international events will bring new opportunities for the capital's inbound tourism market.