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. During the conference, the President of the China Tourism Academy and Director of the Data Center of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism stated in a media interview that all service trades share common characteristics, involving cross-border delivery, cross-border payments, the movement of natural persons, and commercial presence. However, the tourism industry has its own unique features; its cross-border consumption and cross-border payment characteristics are more prominent compared to other service trade sectors, with the core being the premise of the movement of people.

Dai Bin believes that the core reason for the intelligent development of tourism is the disruptive change in contemporary tourism consumption demands, which are now characterized by diversification, higher quality, and personalization. To provide 100% service and ensure a satisfactory experience for every tourist, it is essential to rely on the power of technology.

Dai Bin said that the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Summer Palace are three classic landmarks that are must-see destinations for first-time visitors to Beijing. They possess irreplaceable classic value and are the most representative tourist attractions in Beijing. But Beijing is not just about history or the past; it also has the present and a future.

Yanqing's future lies in two aspects: firstly, its high-quality green resources and the cultural heritage left by the World Horticultural Exposition; and secondly, its established ice and snow tourism destination, which is also a high-quality cultural tourism industry oriented towards the future. I think it's very meaningful that we brought travel agents to the outskirts of Beijing this time. We want everyone to truly understand a three-dimensional, comprehensive, and complete Beijing, to see a tangible, perceptible, and warm Beijing.

"A city's appeal isn't just about grand projects and major undertakings that inspire awe and wonder. More often, people like a city because it feels welcoming and warm. From this perspective, opening up the cultural and tourism resources of Beijing's suburbs to tourists is a very wise choice," Dai Bin emphasized.

Dai Bin pointed out that evaluating tourist cities involves considering some quantitative indicators, such as visitor numbers, total tourism revenue, and the number of scenic spots and hotels. However, I firmly believe that the true measure of a tourist city's success is not based on these cold, hard economic figures, nor on how well we provide VIP services. The core issue is whether our services to ordinary tourists are warm and welcoming.

It's worth noting that evaluating a city also requires considering whether the quality of life for its local residents has truly improved. The World Tourism Cities Federation has always upheld the vision of "Tourism Makes Cities Better," meaning that cities should not only serve tourists but also benefit local residents.

The evaluation system for tourist cities should retain core indicators, but more importantly, it should prioritize the genuine experiences of tourists and the public. The best praise comes from the people. It is hoped that the evaluation standards for tourist cities will continue to be optimized and made more scientific in terms of tiered and categorized indicators, observation dimensions, and data acquisition methods. However, the overall direction will remain unchanged: let tourists and the public speak, allowing the masses to truly judge the quality of a tourist destination.

Dai Bin hopes that foreign tourists visiting China will not only experience the city and sample local delicacies, but also go to Yizhuang to watch robotics competitions, visit industrial parks in Haidian, and learn about the lives of internet companies and their employees. "Emotional value, the experience economy, and viral online copywriting should all be built on a solid foundation of infrastructure, open policies, and a favorable tourism environment, so as to effectively tell the story of contemporary China to the world," Dai Bin said.

(Source: China.com, Author: Wu Ceyuan)