Chinese Tourists’ Westward Wanderlust

Host countries may offer guides, but tourists ultimately decide which sites are worth a visit. Chinese tourism is growing, and Michelle FlorCruz, with International Business Times, describes new attention devoted to a New York sculpture installed in 1989 – the Wall Street Charging Bull, a symbol of prosperity and risk. She notes, “the tourism industry is beginning to understand the profound impact Chinese travelers are having, in numbers that are hard to ignore.” Bilateral agreements and reduced visa regulations have contributed to China’s growth as an outbound marketed, slated for the top spot this year by some reports, and Chinese tourists already spend more than US or German counterparts: Chinese were responsible for more than 60 percent of luxury purchases in Europe in 2011. California is targeting the Chinese with offices in China, a social media campaign on Weibo with a Chinese actress as spokesperson, Mandarin guides, translated brochures – and cultural training programs for staff of hotels and attractions, FlorCruz reports. College tours top the sightseeing list for many Chinese so the US could be welcoming more long-term visitors from China before too long. – YaleGlobal