The State Council of the PRC has recently agreed to expand the development of a range of comprehensive experimental services in Beijing in a pilot program extending three years after approval.
Foreign businesses will be able to participate in commercial tourism development projects and invest in tourism products and facilities according to the proposal. Meanwhile the setup of Sino-foreign joint venture tour operators with outbound tourism services (besides Taiwan tours) will be allowed.
The China National Tourism Administration had previously authorized tourism departments on the provincial government level to approve of foreign commercial tourism investment and cross-border tour operator licensing.
The Beijing Tourism Committee (BTC) has approved foreign owned tour agencies which have been launched in the city as early as last year and by now there are a number of Sino-foreign joint venture tour operators in the city.
BTC vice secretary Si Min Liu said the domestic tourism market is not lacking in capital but rather lacks good quality offers so attracting joint ventures will inject fresh innovation and experience that will benefit the market’s development. It will also be a good opportunity to resuscitate the flagging inbound tourism market.(Translation by David)
