The 23rd Qingdao International Beer Festival will kick off at the Century Square in Laoshan District, in the city of Qingdao, on Aug. 10.

Themed “Enjoying a Colorful Beer Festival and New Life”, the 23rd festival aims to catch up and even surpass the Munich Oktoberfest, said Xia Zhengqi, the deputy head of Laoshan District and general director of the festival. Xia said that they would create a beer garden-like atmosphere for visitors around the world.

The 22nd festival generated 3.83 billion yuan, accounting for 0.577 percent of Qingdao’s GDP. He added that visitors outside of Qingdao accounted for 43 percent and foreign visitors accounted for 5 percent of the tourists attending the 22nd session.

The festival has greatly boosted tourism in Qingdao, added Xia after invoking the aforementioned figures.

Xia stated that the organizing committee would intensify international and customer service to bring out a more splendid beer festival to visitors.