Two days after the WHO lifted the travel advisory against Beijing and removed it from the list of SARS affected regions, the Beijing government announced on Thursday an incentive package to revive the city's tourism industry.
The Beijing Tourism Administration announced at a press conference Thursday afternoon that many favorable policies are on offer, aiming to attract overseas tourists back to the city as soon as possible.
Major incentives to overseas travelers include:
The first group of overseas travelers will receive special treatment as guests of the municipal government. Government officials will welcome them at the airport and all service will be first class.
The first 1,500 overseas tourists will be given a banquet in the Great Hall of the People, China's top convention center.
Extra tourist programs will be given free.
Every overseas tourist will receive a traditional Chinese souvenir and gift.
Major incentives to companies organizing overseas travel to Beijing includes:
Discount on entrance ticket for every scenic spot from today to the end of August.
Financial awards and subsidized advertising.
Financial support for public promotion in countries including Japan, South Korea, France and Germany.
The total revival program will cost almost 10 million yuan. Director of the Beijing Tourism Administration Yu Changjiang said it would be worth the cost if the Beijing's travel market can revive.
Yu said, "SARS has brought great losses to the travel industry in Beijing. With these measures in place, we expect the market to revive from late August. I'm confident about this！"
Beijing has lost 45 billion yuan in the travel sector due to SARS. The industry's income this year is expected to be only half of last year's level. Travel agencies have experienced a cold winter and many will not survive. But those which do survive have learned a lesson from this crisis.
Wang Yanguang, marketing manager of China International Travel Service, said, "During the SARS epidemic, we had to close down and it was a very difficult time. But we had time to think it over and learn from this lesson. We are working to strengthen our ability to handle emergencies. We gave a lot of training to our staff and we've made plans for the future. We've also adjusted our strategy."
Beijing is going all out to attract overseas travelers back to city. Many incentives are already on offer and there are many more to come.
(CCTV June 27, 2003)
