The 11th Beijing International Tourism Festival opening ceremony kicked off at the Olympic green on Friday, drawing together performance groups and artists from 71 countries and 18 districts and counties in and around Beijing.
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60 drum players are standing at the sightseeing boulevard of the Olympic Park, waiting for the opening of the 11th Beijing International Tourism Festival, on October 23, 2009.
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25 floats representing different aspects of travel and life in Beijing acted as mobile name cards for international friends, according to Beijing's Deputy Mayor Ding Xiangyang, adding they represent a new focus for tourism in this ancient cultural and historical city.
Ding also believes Beijing's tourism industry will emerge as a pillar industry and help boost the capital's economy, in spite of the recent international financial turmoil. The BITF is aiming to build itself into an international brand much like the Pamplona Bull-run Fiesta, the Munich Oktoberfest and the Brazilian Carnival. The drum is also being showcased to demonstrate and represent China's long history and culture.
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A young girl dressing in the Beijing Opera suit from the delegation of Beijing Xicheng District is practicing in front of the Bird’s Nest, ahead of the big opening ceremony.
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According to Ding Xiangyang, Beijing's total number of tourists amounted to 126 million people, an increase of 19.96% over the same period last year, while income from tourism reached 186.2 billion yuan, or $27.2 billion US Dollars, an increase of 16.5%.
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