Bridging tourism: Creating connections between Manila and Beijing

Visiting Municipal city Commissionafter city, the of Beijing Tourism Development has been active in promoting Beijing's tourism through the "Charming Beijing: A Beijing Tourism Fair" tour. Setting foot in Manila last May 26, 2017 at the SM by the BAY, Mall of Asia, Pasay City, the free admission event was aimed to bring the whole Beijing experience to the Filipino people through music, dance, martial arts, calligraphy and exhibits, among others. Tourism is a pillar of Beijing’s economy with tourism-related shopping accounting for over 24.2% of the city’s retail sales. That, among many other economic motivations drove the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development to make initiatives to enhance the promotion of Beijing tourism. Home to many historically and culturally astonishing sites like the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven, among others. It is also the city that hosted the 2008 Olympic Games which made its Beijing National Stadium, colloquially known as the "bird's nest", an architectural and tourism icon. “No matter where you come from, no matter what age, you can relate and feel at home in Beijing,” said Mr. Yu Debin, Vice-Chairman of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development. With Charming Beijing: A Beijing Tourism Fair, which already visited countries like Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Australia, Beijing hopes that such initiative will allow and strengthen international relations through tourism. Presented during the event were traditional Lion Dance performances, Wushu exhibition, and a ribbon cutting ceremony which was graced by Department of Tourism's Assistant Secretary Honorable Reynaldo Ching, and the Embassy of People's Republic of China in the Philippines' Counsellor Honorable Jin Yuan. There were also interactive booths including a 3D photo booth of the Great Wall - that allowed visitors to take sharable shots and selfies in Emperor and Empress costumes; a Chinese Art Booth - where guests created their own "I Heart Beijing" freebie fans in calligraphy and painted their own Chinese Opera Masks; a Charming Beijing Photo Exhibit - which highlighted many of Beijing's hidden gems and momentous events; and the Experience Beijing VR - that virtually gave Filipinos the chance to experience the charms of Beijing. With the increase of Filipino tourists during the last few years, local travel agencies are indeed looking to develop tours most fitted to their market. And through the Charming Beijing initiative, it is expected to benefit not only Beijing tourism but also the local tourism industry. Charming Beijing is presented by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development. It was organized by China Travel Service and Write On Track, with venue partner, SM by the BAY. For more information about Beijing, visit www.visitbeijing.com.cn or follow and like "Visit Beijing" on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube with hashtags, #CharmingBeijingPH and #WeHeartBeijing.