In an effort to encourage tourism, Beijing will offer 700,000 free entrance tickets to scenic spots by the end of 2010 and publish specific measures for the ticket allocation before May 1, said Zhang Huiguang, head of the Beijing Tourism Administration (BTA), on March 29.

The new ticket allocation measures will help tourists apply for tickets and prolong the validity period of the tickets.

"In the future, special ticket gates for electronic entrance tickets are likely to be established in order to make travel services more convenient, individualized and intellectualized, as well as to develop a low-carbon environmentally-friendly tourist industry," Zhang added. Earlier, the BTA allocated 300,000 electronic entrance tickets during the Spring Festival holiday.

Zhang said that the city has already had 66 tourist service stations that have serviced over 6.3 million tourists and distributed over 5.1 million tourist brochures. To offer tourists individualized consulting services by providing comprehensive, detailed and real information, Beijing will build a world-class travel consulting Web site that covers tourist resources in Beijing's various areas.

Tourists just need to click a destination area on the Web site, and they can access relevant travel information such as hotels, scenic spots, food and beverage. In addition, several hundred thousand "Tourist Brochures on Travel around Beijing City" will be handed out to local residents through community committees and "Tips on Independent Travel in Beijing" brochures will be allocated to foreigners at airports and some hotels.

The local municipal government is seeking public bids in an attempt to stage one or two large culture-themed shows aimed at tourists in the second half of 2010.

By People's Daily Online

Over the next three years visitors to Korea will be able to take advantage of free hotel nights and discounts on touring, shopping and entertainment.  For those who have been waiting for a good reason to visit Korea, then Visit Korea Year 2010-12 (VKY2010-12) will offer great incentives.

This year marks the beginning of the VKY2010-12 campaign aimed at generating $10 billion in annual tourism revenue and advancing Korea’s stature as a major tourism player.  Last year almost 100,000 Australians visited Korea and this year has seen a 23 percent increase in January and February.

During 2010 selected hotels are offering a long stay incentive program offering one night’s free accommodation when you book four nights accommodation. For example in Seoul you can book five star hotels like the Renaissance Seoul, JW Marriott Seoul, Ritz Carlton Seoul and four star good quality hotels like the Seoul Palace Hotel and get one night absolutely free.

A great way to take in the sights of Seoul city is via the Seoul City Tourbus, the hop on hop off bus service that will take you to all the main sights and attractions in Seoul.  Discount coupons are available with up to 10-20% discount.  Discount coupons are available online at the official travel website.

If it’s shopping that makes you excited then Korea is certainly a shopper’s paradise and the annual Korea Grand Sale will offer great opportunities to snap up a bargain.  Various discount benefits will be provided by more than 15,000 participating companies in Seoul and Incheon areas.  There will also be concerts by Korean Wave stars and many colourful events held throughout the country during the sale period which usually runs from late September to late November.
Many major festivals and events will be held throughout the three years giving foreign visitors a great chance to enjoy the best of Korea’s lifestyle and attractions. 

What can you get for a penny? It doesn't buy much, but for nearly two weeks it can buy an overnight stay at one of the 350 Red Roof properties nationwide.
On April 1, April Fool's Day, the “No Foolin'” 1 Cent Sale will kick off. Participating Red Roof properties will offer 1% of rooms per property(one room per property, per day) for only one penny per night on stays from April 1-15.
Reservations will be accepted starting at 12:00 p.m. on March 31, for stays on April 1 and 2.
The last day guests can book the one cent rate will be on April 13, for April 14 and 15 stays.
Guests can book this special only online at http://www.redroof.com
During the months of April and May, Red Roof will offer free phones to its hotel guests. When booking a stay online, click on the "Free Phone Offer" link and then sign up for new service or upgrade current service to receive the free phone from either AT&T, Verizon, Sprint or T-Mobile (phone is shipped directly to the guest from the cell phone provider).
Also in April, Red Roof is gearing up for the summer travel season, by partnering with the popular Budget Travel magazine to sponsor a summer travel sweepstakes, giving away 1,000 free room nights for summer travel. To enter to win, visit http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-srv/redroofinn/index.html . No purchase is necessary.
The Red Roof brand of hotels has recently completed a nationwide renovation of properties. These NextGen hotels feature sleek exteriors and upscale interiors.