Beijing tourism market increases in 1st half of 2010

According to statistics from the Beijing Tourism Administration (BTA), domestic tourism and inbound tourism markets have increased during the first half of 2010. The total number of tourists reached 80.31 million, a year-on-year increase of 8.2 percent. Revenue from tourism reached 128.4 billion yuan, a rise of 14.1 percent.

Although the Shanghai Expo detracted tourists from Beijing and the economic crisis put the city at a disadvantage, it still had over 2.31 million inbound overnight tourists, a year-on-year rise of 26.5 percent. Additionally, its growth rate is higher than the national growth rate.

What has attracted so many foreign tourists to Beijing?

Due to tourism promotion, Beijing's tourism reaps the benefits, according to a leader of the BTA said.

This year, the tourism department organized 26 batches of promotional delegation to advertise Beijing overseas. In Canada, the Beijing government set up an award of 10 million yuan. If the local tourism industry can send 1,000 tourists to Beijing by chartered plane or ship, they will receive the money. In Los Angeles, California, the BTA awarded a free tour to Beijing.

Apart from the well-known Forbidden City, Great Wall and Summer Palace, the Beijing government has been digging for new tourism resources.

"We need to provide not only a traditional 'ancient Beijing' with long history, but also a 'new Beijing' with youthful vigor," the leader of the BTA said.

The BTA has launched 30 tourism programs to the world, including trips for leisure and recreation, ecological exploration, traditional and cultural experiences, and agricultural and industrial tourism. Beijing has combined traditional and cultural travel with modern metropolis travel.

According to the Beijing Bureau of Statistics, the boom index of Beijing hotels and restaurants in the second quarter rose sharply. The boom index of industry business and businessmen confidence were 146.7 and 145, respectively, an increase from the first quarter of 17.1 and 2.6 percent. It is predicted that the third quarter indexes will be 154.6 and 148.4, respectively.

According to the Beijing Bureau of Statistics, the rapid increase of accommodation and food boom index has inseparable connections with the recovery of the economic environment and the arrival of the high tourist season.

The second quarter national tourist satisfaction survey was released on July 8. The report shows that the national tourist satisfaction index decreased for the third consecutive quarter since the fourth quarter of 2009. Although domestic tourists’ satisfaction index decreased, Beijing ranked fourth of 50 cities on the tourist satisfaction list, a rise of three places since the first quarter of 2010.

The satisfaction level of domestic individual tourists and group visitors decreased significantly, and the satisfaction level of the arrangement for tourists shopping, complaint handling, transportation, prices and passenger flow volume of scenic spots is low according to group tourists. The satisfaction level of individual tourists on overall services and attractions is also low. However, the satisfaction level on overall services of inbound tourists and outbound tourists increased.