Beijing will bid for the World Leisure Congress 2020 and enhance its reputation as a vacation destination, said an official from Beijing's tourism development commission.

Beijing expressed its wish to host the Word Leisure Organization during the 13th World Leisure Congress, taking place from Sept 7 through 12 in Alabama, the United States.

Song Yu, director of Beijing's tourism authority, said Beijing will enhance its connection with the WLO and learn from the organization's experience in leisure tourism.

Song said Beijing will also transform itself from a mere sightseeing destination into a comprehensive vacation destination by promoting leisure tourism, conference tourism and tailored tourism.

According to Beijing's tourism authority, a tourism resource exhibition by Beijing and the Pinggu district at the 13th congress attracted attention from the president, members of the WLO and delegates to the congress.

Delegates from more than 40 countries and regions, including the United States, Britain and Canada, also provided suggestions on how to improve Beijing's and Pinggu's leisure tourism.

The WLO, founded in 1952, is a worldwide, non-governmental association of persons and organizations dedicated to discovering and fostering conditions best permitting leisure to serve as a force for human growth, development and well-being.

suzhou@chinadaily.com.cn