Beijing's tourism industry enjoyed substantial growth in 2005
and is on track to becoming a world-class international tourist
destination.
According to statistics released by the Information Office of
the Beijing municipal government yesterday, Beijing received 3.629
million tourists last year from outside the Chinese mainland, 15
percent higher than 2004, the largest number of visitors so
far.
Among theses tourists, 3.116 million were from foreign
countries, a growth rate of 16.2 percent over 2004.
Visitors from the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea
formed the majority.
Visitors from Hong Kong reached 314,000, 13.1 percent more than
in 2004. Last year also saw 186,000 visitors from Taiwan, an
increase of 1.4 percent from 2004.
The overall income from foreign exchange reached US$3.62
billion.
The 11th Five-Year Plan that was approved by the Municipal
People's Congress on Friday listed tourism as a major service
industry to which the government has promised special support.
The plan aims to allow Beijing to seize the opportunity of
hosting the Olympic
Games in 2008 to promote tourism, with a focus on the
conventions and exhibitions industry.
The city plans to establish a series of conventions and
exhibitions with international influence, especially in the fields
of science and technology, automobiles and culture.
Sightseeing, exhibitions, holidays, culture and entertainment
will be the five pillars of Beijing's tourism sector.
The municipal tourism bureau estimates that a total investment
of 80 billion yuan (US$9.8 billion) will be injected to the tourism
and exhibition industry over the next five to six years.
According to a document on the outlook of Beijing's tourism
industry, released by the bureau, Beijing has set a goal of
becoming a first-class international tourism destination by
2020.
The document said tourism infrastructure, such as roads and
transport networks, would be substantially improved thanks to the
Olympic Games, making the city more visitor-friendly and accessible
for tourists.
A light rail line connecting Beijing Capital
International Airport and Dongzhimen in downtown Beijing will
be completed by 2008. It will take passengers 16 minutes to cover a
distance of 27 kilometers.
At the same time, the municipal government promises to spare no
efforts in preserving the ancient look and feel of the city.
(China Daily January 23, 2006)