What Chinese tourists want when travelling abroad
Source: GBTIMES Beijing
More than six million Chinese people choose to spend the National Day holidays abroad, but what do they look for ahead of and during their trip abroad? In an attempt to answer this question, we looked at a variety of domestic Chinese news reports, as well as blogs and travel websites.
The number of Chinese tourists travelling abroad nearly doubled to 150 million from 2012 to 2016. A desire to visit exotic scenery, tourist attractions and experience different cultures that offer them a fresh approach to daily life are all among the top reasons for travelling outside of China.
By watching sumo or visiting the Pyramids, the Louvre and the Amazon Rainforest, they hope that these experiences can broaden their horizons, as well as give them stories with which to show off in front of friends and relatives upon their return home.
Many Chinese people revere anything related to foreign countries or foreigners. For example, although Tibet is much farther than South Korea to a Beijing resident, he might gain a greater sense of pride if he chooses the latter as his holiday destination.
Duty-free shopping
Cheaper luxury goods and high-quality products are another key factor when Chinese tourists are planning to go abroad, especially for women.
With the fast economic development in recent decades, more and more ordinary Chinese can afford luxury goods and foreign products. However, due to heavy tariffs, the price is much higher in China compared to foreign countries.
Therefore, duty-free shops are the must-go places for most Chinese tourists visiting foreign countries. Besides satisfying their own daily needs, they may also be required by relatives, friends and colleagues to buy many goods there. In China, purchasing overseas products for others has already become a large business.
Avoid domestic tourist sites
One curious reason for many Chinese tourists preferring a good-quality holiday in foreign countries rather than at home is to avoid the overcrowded domestic tourism sites.
According to the 2017 National Day Golden Week Travel Trends report, released by Ctrip, one of China’s leading online travel agencies, it is projected that some 650 million people will flood to tourist sites across China.
Since the domestic tourism industry has been slowly developing over the past 30 years, services including communication and accommodation cannot satisfy the demands of tourists who have higher standards.
It appears that the trend will continue as long as there are still exotic sceneries, tourist attractions and colourful cultural curiosities, plus cheaper luxury goods and high-quality products, to lure Chinese tourists, as well as make loved ones jealous upon their return.
