Jiang Fan, chief of Pinggu disctrict, tells Chinese media how the district prepare to apply for the congress. [Photo/Xinhua]

Beijing will host the World Leisure Congress in 2020 to build itself a world tourism and leisure center, Beijing's tourism development commission announced Saturday.

The congress, which will be held in Pinggu District at the eastern end of Beijing, is expected to invite more than 1,000 delegates from universities, academic institutes and enterprises at home and abroad, according to the commission.

The city will organize 16 leisure activities involving water sports, gourmet festival and folk culture exhibitions at that time, it said.

Beijing's tourist industry has grown rapidly to become an important sector of the city's economy in recent decades, thanks to the historical and cultural attractions.

The city hopes to take the chance of hosting this congress to learn experience to improve its tourism industry and keep tourists more entertained throughout their stay.

The World Leisure Congress has been held once every two years in different cities since 1988.