Beijing receives fewer overseas tourists in 2013

The number of overseas tourists who visited Beijing Municipality in 2013 reached 4.5 million, down 10 percent from the previous year, according to a green paper released on Monday.

The paper said the fall was due to the international economic slowdown, competition from other cities in nearby countries and regions, appreciation of the Chinese currency, unattractive duty-free policies and smoggy weather.

However, the paper also said overseas tourists had a consumption value of 1,065 US dollars per capita, up 3.6 percent from 2012.

The green paper, compiled by Beijing Tourism Society, was published by the Social Sciences Academic Press.