Beijing - The 13th Beijing International Tourism Festival (BITF) begins on Sept 17 along Qianmen Commercial Street, before moving to move to Mutianyu Greatwall and Happy Valley, an amusement park in Beijing, in the following two days.

Featuring 30 performance groups and artists from 20 countries and regions, the three-day event aims to boost the city's tourism industry with parades and exhibitions of international folk cultures.

Beijing's tourism industry accounts for 7 percent of the GDP in the city, higher than the world average of average 5 percent, according to Wang Yue, deputy director of the Beijing tourism development committee.

She said the tourism sector is expected to contribute 10 percent of the city's GDP by 2015.

Jointly sponsored by the Beijing Municipal People's Government and National Tourism Administration, the cultural event, which was first held in 1998, is regarded as of the top 10 influential festivals by International Festivals and Event Association (IFEA), according to Wang Yue.

"We're confident the festival will further introduce Beijing to the world and stimulate the tourism industry in the city," Wang added.