Beijing explores fresh ways of inbound tourism partnership as tourist level increases

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- Beijing has recorded 2.27 million inbound tourists from Jan to July, 2018 with increase of 2.5 per cent year on year which underscores its efforts to explore new ways of inbound tourism partnership and open up tourism market by a string of supportive policies.

The capital of China has introduced an array of policies including special funds for awarding inbound tourism, funds for MICE, shopping tax rebates on departure for overseas tourists and 144-hour transit visa exemption to propel inbound tourism growth.

With the international events to be hosted including the International Horticulture Exhibition in 2019, the World Leisure Conference in 2020 and the Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympic Games in 2022, new opportunities will be available for Beijing's inbound tourism development as it also willing to strengthen cooperation and share opportunities with domestic and overseas partners.

It is also expected to play a bigger role in deepening reform and opening-up, enhancing international friendship and promoting cultural and economic exchanges, according to a statement from Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development (BMCTD).

In February, BMCTD launched the "Global Distribution Partnership Program of Beijing Tourism" -- China's and Asia Pacific region's first strategic cooperation innovation mechanism -- initiated by the government and participated in by international travel agents.

The project received over 120 applications from international travel agents, while 30 of them are selected to be the partners inking a three-year-long cooperation with BMCTD to carry out in-depth cooperation over information sharing, marketing and tourism route development.

BMCTD hopes to explore a normalized inbound tourism cooperation mechanism and invite global partners to participate in the study of feature inbound tourism routes and continue to enhance Beijing's appeal as a global tourism destination.

Based on changes in the inbound tourism market, groups and preferences, eight types of feature tourism products will be introduced including ancient capital tours, modern capital tours, folklore tours, fashion tours, Chinese traditional medicine health tours and others.

-- BERNAMA