As China moves towards being an economic superpower, its citizens have gained a greater ability to travel and spend internationally. Now, Chinese are increasingly the driving force for the world’s biggest tourism companies. China last year passed Germany and the U.S. to become the world’s biggest source of tourists. Similarly, a report published in April showed that Chinese tourists surpassed Germans tourists in spending. According to the UN World Tourism Organization Chinese tourists spent $102 billion worldwide last year. 

As the Chinese are now a lot more affluent than they were 10 years ago, they can afford more luxury products in Europe and the United States. Because of this, many are prone to prodigious spending. It is interesting to note that Chinese tourists spend more on shopping than sightseeing. There is a simple psychology to this: After decades of deprivation and conformism, Chinese consumers regard expensive consumer goods as trophies of success. Chinese tourists largely prefer lively, loud environments where they can shop for luxury goods, while European tourists tend to prefer a more tranquil, back-to-nature kind of experience. The Chinese demand for luxury goods has increased for a number of reasons, including rapidly increasing disposable income, sophistication of Chinese consumers, and rapid urbanization. 

Watching this tendency, countries across the world are preparing to entice Chinese tourists. 

Cambodia Unveils Strategy to Entice Chinese Tourists 

Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism on Wednesday finalized its 5-year strategic plan to attract at least 1.3 million Chinese visitors by 2018. To reach the goal, Cambodia would continue broadening promotion of Cambodian tourism destinations to China and encouraging more direct flight connection between the two countries. According to the strategic plan, the country would prepare entry-exit application forms and announcements at airports in Chinese language, write signs on main roads in Chinese language, study to establish China Town and train more Chinese speaking tour guides. 

Australia Eyes Buddha and Baccarat

 Australia, is also preparing various strategies to attract Chinese tourist. A A$ 500 million theme park is being built at Wyong region outside Sydney that will include a full-size replica of Beijing’s Forbidden City and a nine-storey temple housing a giant statue Buddha. Similarly, two companies are said to be developing casinos in Sydney to attract gambling tourists from mainland China. 

Israel Streamlines Visa Policy 

The Israeli Embassy in China announced a set of new visa policies for Chinese tourists. The new rules introduce tourist visas that individuals can apply for directly, as well as a simplified visa application process for business visas and other favorable policies targeting residents of the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The new visa policies are part of Israeli efforts to consolidate its share in the rapidly expanding Chinese tourism market. (Agencies)