Universal appeal

Investment of 800 billion yuan ($124 billion) will go into the development of Tongzhou over the course of the 2021-25 period, which will undoubtedly offer extensive business applications and opportunities, experts say.

"We'd like to attract more culture and tourism companies to settle in the area and assist in its high-quality development," says Zhao Jun, director of the district's Cultural Tourism Zone, which sits in the southwest of Tongzhou and covers an area of just over 12 square kilometers.

With favorable policies, the authority is planning to draw premium cultural design, animation, performance, recreational and filmmaking projects to the zone, Zhao Jun adds.

"We will step up reform and innovation measures, and lift culture and tourism market access limitations," he says.

International art performances, as well as art and sporting goods exhibitions and fairs will be encouraged, as will be cooperation with top culture and tourism industry players from both home and abroad, Zhao Jun says.

A one-stop premium butler service will be provided to businesses that meet certain criteria.

The Universal Beijing Resort is expected to attract 10 million tourists and take in more than 10 billion yuan annually.

More than 70 categories of businesses are expected to take shape, which will benefit over 100 upstream and downstream sectors and help develop a fully functional culture and tourism chain, Zhao Jun says.

Beijing Tourism Group, one of the Universal Beijing Resort's investors, has settled its headquarters in the cultural tourism zone of Tongzhou.

The Universal Beijing Resort will push for the clustering of high-end culture and tourism industries, casting a strong influence over a radius of 5-10 km, says Yu Xuezhong, deputy general manager of the Beijing Tourism Group.