Chinese are now the top international tourism spenders, with 83 million travelers spending US$102 billion last year. That figure will rise, with the UNWTO estimating 100 million Chinese traveling abroad in 2015. But is the world ready to handle the influx?
Chinese tourists on the rise —
Chinese are now the top international tourism spenders, with 83 million travelers spending US$102 billion last year. That figure will rise, with the UNWTO estimating 100 million Chinese traveling abroad in 2015. But is the world ready to handle the influx?
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Chinese-speaking shop assistants are a common sight at Printemps department store in Paris. While some travel-related companies are adapting their offerings to cater to Chinese tourists, the global travel industry needs to stop relying on old stereotypes about the Chinese and actually listen to what they want, says Dr. Wolfgang Arlt from the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute.
Service satisfaction? —
Chinese-speaking shop assistants are a common sight at Printemps department store in Paris. While some travel-related companies are adapting their offerings to cater to Chinese tourists, the global travel industry needs to stop relying on old stereotypes about the Chinese and actually listen to what they want, says Dr. Wolfgang Arlt from the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute.
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Dr. Arlt says a key issue is the ability of frontline service staff to make Chinese guests feel welcome and comfortable. "Chinese tourists often say they feel treated like second class people, even when they spend a lot of money," he says.
Getting in touch with the customer —
Dr. Arlt says a key issue is the ability of frontline service staff to make Chinese guests feel welcome and comfortable. "Chinese tourists often say they feel treated like second class people, even when they spend a lot of money," he says.
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Arlt says the Chinese tourist demographic is already a shifting, led by a "new Chinese tourist," who's better educated and more well-traveled than his or her predecessors. These travelers want to try local cuisine and new experiences, he says.
The 'new Chinese tourist' —
Arlt says the Chinese tourist demographic is already a shifting, led by a "new Chinese tourist," who's better educated and more well-traveled than his or her predecessors. These travelers want to try local cuisine and new experiences, he says.
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This image is taken from a video showing a Chinese politician smashing equipment after he turned up late to his departure gate at a Chinese airport and was refused boarding. The video clip when viral. Such incidents need to be taken in context, given how many Chinese travelers there are in the world, Dr. Yong Chen says. "Travel is a way of communication between cultures," he says. "Tourism will help people to get better and learn. It's a new experience for them."
Bad behavior —
This image is taken from a video showing a Chinese politician smashing equipment after he turned up late to his departure gate at a Chinese airport and was refused boarding. The video clip when viral. Such incidents need to be taken in context, given how many Chinese travelers there are in the world, Dr. Yong Chen says. "Travel is a way of communication between cultures," he says. "Tourism will help people to get better and learn. It's a new experience for them."
Arlt says too many locals are seeing only the negative side of Chinese tourism. The more visible tourists are those on bus tours or in large groups. But some "have been traveling 10 to 15 years or studied abroad and speak perfect English -- they blend in, so we don't even identify them as Chinese. For the tourism industry, these are the interesting customers," he says.
'The interesting customers' —
Arlt says too many locals are seeing only the negative side of Chinese tourism. The more visible tourists are those on bus tours or in large groups. But some "have been traveling 10 to 15 years or studied abroad and speak perfect English -- they blend in, so we don't even identify them as Chinese. For the tourism industry, these are the interesting customers," he says.
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