Traditional Chinese medicine and sporting events have been eyed to play important roles for attracting tourists to visit the country.

Beijing’s tourism authority said they have intended to use TCM and sports to boost the tourism industry in China. According to Beijing Commission of Tourism deputy director Wang Yue, traditional medicine promotion along with the upcoming World Athletics Championship in 2015 would attract visitors to China.

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The upcoming 2015 World Athletics Championships is the most important sporting event to occur in China after the Olympic Games held in the country in 2008.

According to Wang, visitors are attracted to visit Beijing for major sporting events. She also added China’s capital has greatly benefited from the 2008 Olympic Games where thousands of tourists flew into the country to witness the event. Furthermore, Wang added promoting tourism products to visitors while in China.

Traditional Chinese medicine products for visitors include traditional health services and sightseeing tours. TCM tourism provides guests with services including healthy cuisine and traditional massage. Since August, numerous Beijing-based travel operators have been highlighting TCM tourism.

In the last two years, the Chinese capital has been struggling with its inbound tourism industry although its outbound tourism has been flourishing. The Beijing Bureau of Statistics reported a year after year decline of 5.9% in the city’s inbound tourism. The data also show Beijing has received 2.36 million overseas guests.

Before, Beijing has been the only and most popular tourist destination in China. However, the continuing popularity of cities and other tourist destinations in Jiangsu and Tianjin has offered tough competition for inbound tourists.

Deputy Director Wang said she is confident that TCM would greatly aid the tourism industry in Beijing. She also added that Beijing would become a more diverse vacation destination for tourists. Furthermore, she said TCM and sporting events would help to address the issue over the scarcity on middle and high end tourism products in Beijing.

TagsBeijing Commission of Tourism, Wang Yue, World Athletics Championship 2015, Olympic Games 2008, Beijing Bureau of Statistics, Jiangsu