The Chaoyang municipal commission expects the visa exemption will attract another 600,000 to 800,000 transit tourists next year.
Lu Yong, director of the Beijing Tourism Development Committee, said that setting up an international standard, duty-free zone in the city will improve tourism levels.
The new visa rules will apply to citizens of 45 countries, including the United States, France, Italy, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Spain, Australia, Argentina, Japan and Singapore, according to the committee.
Cumquat market in S China's Guangxi