The Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE) has kicked off at National Convention Center on June 18.

BITE, sponsored by the Beijing Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau, is an international tourism expo. This year's event has attracted roughly 1,000 tourism institutes, travel agencies and agents from more than 80 countries and regions.

In the 22,000-square-meter exhibition area, exhibition stands featuring various products of high quality, performances and interesting interactive activities serve a feast for visitors.

The expo this year adheres to combine culture and tourism and sets up a new platform integrating culture and tourism product. During the expo, over 400 foreign and domestic exhibitors will present colorful and featured culture and tourism resources of their own. Beijing’s 16 districts attend the expo as well, displaying rich and multiple culture and tourism resources of Beijing as well as a brand-new experience of culture and tourism.

Insisting on development of high quality, the expo works on building professional platform for trade in services. This year, the quantity and quality of exhibitors has improved. More European tourism institutes, travel agencies and agents attend the expo to provide more channels and tourism products.

The expo has always been committed to serving the general public. Travel agencies have rolled out thousands of products that would be offered to the public at rates lower than the market price during the three-day expo. In addition, the daily exhibition time is extended to the evening to benefit more people.

The expo will run through June 20.