On October 24, the Beijing Tourism Development Conference was held, where officials introduced the “Implementation Opinions on High-Quality Tourism Development in Beijing” (referred to as the “Implementation Opinions”). The goal is to increase the tourism industry’s value-added contribution to Beijing’s GDP to over 5% by 2029.

The “Implementation Opinions” outline ambitious targets, aiming for an annual growth of over 2% in total tourism numbers, around 4% in tourism revenue, and approximately 5% in inbound tourism by 2029. Additionally, it mentions that the number of national 5A tourist attractions and various nationally recognized tourism features should rank among the top in major cities across the country.

One key aspect of the “Implementation Opinions” is the commitment to optimizing spatial planning to promote comprehensive tourism development. This includes creating a balanced and orderly tourism development framework across different functional zones and building vibrant tourism areas tailored to the unique resources of each district. Efforts will also be made to enhance regional tourism collaboration in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area, establishing a world-class tourism circle.

The plan emphasizes integrating cultural development with tourism, launching in-depth tourism products that reflect Beijing’s ancient charm and unique character. There’s a strong focus on leveraging technological innovation to develop new tourism products as well, enriching the offerings by bridging classical and modern aspects of the city’s attractions.

Additionally, Beijing intends to harness the legacy of its dual Olympic heritage to boost sports tourism and explore how tourism can support rural revitalization, thereby upgrading countryside tourism products. As part of building an international consumption hub, the city aims to create new scenarios, business models, and products that blend commercial activities with tourism, ultimately expanding tourism consumption.

To enhance the overall visitor experience, the strategy includes strengthening smart tourism services to improve convenience and effectiveness. This will also involve refining transportation services to ensure seamless connections between local, intercity, and tourist transport options. Lastly, Beijing plans to enhance services for inbound tourists, positioning the city as “the preferred destination for inbound tourism in China.”