Download
Beijing saw nearly double the number of travelers that benefited from the capital's 72-hour visa waiver policy in January, compared with the same period last year, authorities said on Tuesday.
The city received 1,746 transit passengers in January at Beijing Capital International Airport who benefitted from the waiver policy, which allows a visitor with an airline ticket to stay 72 hours without a visa. The jump represented a year-on-year increase of 184.8 percent, according to the Beijing Tourism Development Commission.
The capital approved the 72-hour visa waiver for people from 45 countries on Jan 1, 2013, to boost the city's inbound tourism. The commission said the policy has attracted more international tourists to the Chinese capital this year.
Commission officials also announced they are considering a tax refund program to attract more overseas tourists. The program would allow foreign visitors to claim tax refunds at shopping malls in the city.
City officials said they are working to make the visa application process easier for foreigners and create more customized tour packages, including exclusive discounts at the international airport and for buses that will take tourists from the airport to hotels and attractions.
It is also seeking alliances with other Chinese cities that have already implemented visa waiver policies, including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Chongqing, to market tourism in China to the world.
Dai Bin, professor of tourism at Beijing International Studies University, said the policy will help increase spending by overseas visitors.
According to the Beijing Port Office, the international airport received more than 7.06 million visits in January, a year-on-year increase of 9.2 percent.
The amount of outbound and inbound tourists during the month exceeded 1.79 million visits, a year-on-year increase of 13.7 percent, it said.
Beginning in 2013, the tourism commission has ramped up promotions across the world to attract tourists, including advertisements on CNN and The National Geographic Channel, and distributing information on its visa waiver policy at Chinese embassies and consulates.
Yang Jinsong, a professor of international tourism at the China Tourism Academy, said the rise in transit passengers is a good sign that Beijing's inbound tourism is recovering.
Still, Yang called the city a "struggling startup" compared with other destinations, including those in Southeast Asia, because China's inbound tourism market has been spotty in recent years. Many tourists have recently been more attracted to the Asian destinations of Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.
About the broadcaster:
Nelly Min is an editor at China Daily with more than 10 years of experience as a newspaper editor and photographer. She has worked at major newspapers in the U.S., including the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit Free Press. She is also fluent in Korean.
【英语启蒙】大家一起学发音:[iə]该怎么发
体坛英语资讯:Liverpool revive title hopes after 4-1 win at Man. Utd
国内英语资讯:Chinese premier eyes more cooperation with Guinea Bissau
【英语启蒙】大家一起学发音:[æ]该怎么发
体坛英语资讯:Maradona summons Argentine squad for WC qualifier
体坛英语资讯:Jackson sets new world record in womens 400m freestyle
【英语启蒙】大家一起学发音:[uə]该怎么发
体坛英语资讯:Star hurdler Liu delays comeback plans to June
国际英语资讯:Brexit minister says UK govt is decision-maker, not parliament
国内英语资讯:China, EU pledge to boost people-to-people exchanges
【英语启蒙】大家一起学发音:[əu]和[ai]该怎么发
体坛英语资讯:Real Madrids Raul remains calm over possible return to intl duty
体坛英语资讯:First half blitz sees Barcelona into last eight of Champions League
体坛英语资讯:Belgiums Benteke scores fastest WC goal in just seven seconds
体坛英语资讯:President of the Uruguayan Soccer Association resigns
体坛英语资讯:Ronaldo to sit out Corinthians next game after flying start
体坛英语资讯:Bayern, Wolfsburg narrow gap with Bundesliga leaders Berlin
体坛英语资讯:Riquelme quits Argentina and blames Maradona
体坛英语资讯:lllinois state govt pledges funding for 2016 summer games
国内英语资讯:China to engage in infrastructure development in Mozambique: Premier Li
体坛英语资讯:Austrian ski jumper wins World Cup in Slovenia
体坛英语资讯:Dortmund extend contract with coach Klopp
体坛英语资讯:Valencia striker Villa drops Barcelona hint
国内英语资讯:Premier Li meets with Macao chief executive
上海最火葱油饼店因无照经营停业
体坛英语资讯:AZ Alkmaar march on toward 1st Dutch title in 28 years
体坛英语资讯:Flamengos basketball team wins heading into all-star break
体坛英语资讯:Washington Capitals extend home record
体坛英语资讯:Messi rejects all chance of Real Madrid move
国内英语资讯:China, Cape Verde to carry out third-party cooperation in marine economy
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |