From September 8th to 11th, the 2026 World Tourism Cooperation and Development Conference, hosted by the World Tourism Cities Federation and organized by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, was held at the Shougang International Convention and Exhibition Center in Beijing. The conference, themed "Digital Innovation, Harmony and Win-Win Cooperation," brought together city representatives from over 50 countries and regions worldwide, heads of international organizations, cultural and tourism institutions in China, international travel agents, industry enterprises, and experts and scholars to discuss cooperation paths and development trends in the global tourism industry in the digital age. On the evening of the 9th, a special exchange session was held, bringing together guests from home and abroad to discuss new opportunities for global tourism cooperation.

In her address, Zheng Fang, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, stated that Beijing possesses unique and abundant cultural and tourism resources. To build a world-class tourist city and become China's premier inbound tourism destination, Beijing has strengthened its inbound tourism work mechanism and improved its full-chain service guarantees. This includes implementing one-stop customs clearance facilitation measures, expanding the use scenarios for foreign cards, and optimizing travel and cross-provincial tax refund services; continuously enriching cultural and tourism products, launching new routes in the "New Discoveries in Beijing" series, and distinctive routes such as the "Beijing Charm - Slow Walk Citywalk"; and launching the "Go Beijing" platform to empower the construction of digital and intelligent cultural tourism, comprehensively enhancing the experience for overseas tourists, and warmly inviting guests from all over the world to visit the ancient capital of Beijing.

Zhang Peng, Deputy District Head of Yanqing District, Beijing, stated that high-quality resources, exemplified by the Badaling Great Wall, have laid a solid foundation for Yanqing's development of inbound tourism. The area boasts excellent natural and cultural tourism resources such as Longqing Gorge, Yudu Mountain, and Guyaju (ancient cliff dwellings), along with a comprehensive range of businesses including high-end hotels and boutique guesthouses. Yanqing looks forward to establishing regular cooperation channels with overseas travel agencies to jointly develop cultural and tourism products, exchange tourist resources, and collaboratively explore overseas markets, thereby contributing to the coordinated development of the global cultural and tourism industry.

At the event, a special presentation on Yanqing's cultural and tourism resources was held. Promotional ambassador Li Zheng highlighted three core attractions: the Badaling Great Wall, the Beijing Expo Park, and the Winter Olympic Park. Yanqing boasts significant ecological advantages, convenient transportation, and a rich array of year-round tourism products, including ice and snow activities and nighttime experiences. It has 14 A-level scenic spots, 10 four-star or higher hotels, and over 600 boutique guesthouses, receiving 20 million tourists annually, making it a premium destination for leisure, vacation, and MICE tourism in the suburbs of Beijing.

Badaling Cultural Tourism Group presented its projects. As a world-class cultural landmark of the Great Wall, Badaling continuously iterates its visitor experience, launching a dual-cable train, the immersive family-friendly performance "Thirteen Passes of Beacon Fire," advancing the trial operation of the Great Wall Museum, and introducing customized services such as "Changyoutong" (a travel pass), AI exoskeleton equipment, and an XR immersive theater. The Night Great Wall section features live performances, interactive experiences, and digital cultural and creative products. Currently, preliminary work is underway for the Mandarin Oriental luxury resort project, with plans to construct a 16.5-kilometer-long Great Wall scenic area, striving to create an international Great Wall cultural tourism destination.

Yan Zhuo, the promotional officer for the Beijing Expo International Tourism Resort, introduced that the resort integrates ecological sightseeing, performing arts festivals, study tours, sports, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) services. It boasts iconic venues such as the China Pavilion and the International Pavilion, as well as several high-end hotels. The resort cultivates IPs such as the Garden Festival, the Trendy Music Festival, and the "Dream of the Great Wall" live-action performance, and can host outdoor sports activities such as model airplanes and equestrian activities. The resort will develop inbound tourism products for overseas markets, including sightseeing, study tours, sports, and MICE products, and looks forward to deepening cross-border cultural and tourism cooperation.

(Source: China.com, Author: Wu Ce, January)