China offers post-SARS feed to stimulate tourism
( 2003-06-29 15:50) (ABC Online)
Overseas visitors to Beijing are have been invited to a series of post-SARS
banquets in China's capital in an attempt to revive the local tourism industry.
Beijing's authorities have come up with a rather unusual idea to get tourists
back into China's capital: package tours with dinner invitations to China's most
important political building.
It is estimated that Beijing will lose more than $8 billion this year in
tourism revenue because of SARS.
But authorities are hoping they have hit upon a plan to bring tourists in.
The next 1,500 overseas visitors are invited as guests of honour to a series
of banquets at the Great Hall of People, the site of the annual National
People's Congress, and usually off limits to outsiders.
Dinner will be served from next week.
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