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Journey to improve Chinese tourists’ image
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Hua Juanpeng has been reading online advice about tipping customs and religious taboos in preparation for his trip to Thailand during the National Day holiday that starts on October 1.
“We’re not used to the idea of giving tips to service staff in China,” Hua said. “I’ve looked up information because I certainly don’t want to be seen as an impolite Chinese traveler.”
As China’s travelers have become the largest tourist market in the world, reports of badly-behaved Chinese visitors have also increased, prompting authorities and the private sector to try to improve the tarnished image of the country’s tourists overseas.
Hua has traveled abroad before and the 24-year-old student says this makes him more aware of compatriots’ behavior.
“I felt ashamed when I saw Chinese tourists talking loudly in public places, spitting, or carving characters in scenic spots,” Hua said.
In May, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang said “uncivilized behavior” abroad harms the country’s image. Wang urged efforts to project a good image of Chinese tourists, as the country’s tourist industry is in its “golden phase of development with vast potential.”
China’s spending on travel abroad totaled US$102 billion 2012, making the country the largest contributor to tourism worldwide, according to figures from the World Tourism Organization.
The number of international trips by Chinese tourists has grown to 83 million in 2012 from 10 million in 2000, according to the organization.
China’s first tourism law, requiring domestic visitors to behave in a “civilized” manner goes into effect on October 1.
Local tourism regulators have also adopted measures urging Chinese to behave on their overseas travels.
Travel agencies are required to inform clients about the destination country and its culture ahead of trips, said Chen Shaoqing, a tourism official in north China’s Shanxi Province.
In central China’s Hunan Province, the local tourism regulator launched an official website this month revealing a “blacklist” of holidaymakers reported by travel agencies for bad behavior abroad. Inclusion could affect chances of getting a visa for future trips.
The private sector is also helping Chinese tourists improve their image.
China Travel Solution, a travel agency headquartered in Beijing, gives clients brochures with advice on things such as queuing in an orderly fashion.
“There’s still a long way to go,” said Niu Gang, vice general manager of Shanxi Business International Travel Service.
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