Travel trends

Xu Qian 26, working for a travel agency in Vietnam

Did you see an increase in Chinese tourists?

Yes. There have been more individual tourists, tour groups and business travelers from China since President Xi Jinping's visit to Vietnam in November.

What kind of preparations have you made for Chinese tourists?

Our company has hired more Chinese guides and arranged trainee programs. We also ask our partner restaurants to provide more food that matches Chinese tastes.

What do tourists like to do in Vietnam?

Chinese tourists like activities on the beach. The sights at sea are wonderful in Vietnam. And they enjoy the leisurely lifestyle, too. They also like shopping.

What do you like and dislike most about Chinese tourists?

I like to see Chinese tourists' smiling faces. They are so excited when they see the sea. But I don't like some uncivilized behavior, such as jumping queues, taking photos of airline stewardesses and making noise in hotel lobbies.

Do you think the increase in Chinese tourists is a lasting trend?

Yes, I think so. I believe more Chinese tourists will come to Vietnam, as the countries are so close and the transport links are good. Outbound travel will be more popular among Chinese people as they become richer. Vietnam is a good choice.

Gyokurin Sei manager of China Team of Global Strategy and Coordination Dept, Marubeni Corp, Japan

Did you see an increase in Chinese tourists in Japan? What do you think the reasons are?

The number of Chinese tourists coming to Japan multiplied last year and is expected to exceed 5 million in 2015. The trend will continue. The year 2014 saw 107 million outbound Chinese tourists. The trend contributed greatly to the economy of the places where these people visited.

Chinese visitors have expanded their destinations from the big cities like Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka to small towns. They are fascinated with Japan's fresh air, clean water, culture, food, hot springs and scenery.

What do Chinese tourists like to do in your country?

Japan applied the word bakugai, which literally means "explosive buying", to Chinese tourists' spending sprees. But Chinese tourists are getting more interested in Japan's culture, history, food and natural scenery.

What do you like and dislike most about Chinese tourists?

I am moved to see that Chinese tourists try hard to understand how Japan runs, like its customs, traditions and economic conditions. In so doing, they expand their knowledge and experience, which are instrumental to improving many fields such as industrial manufacturing and the service sector in China.

But some Chinese tourists sit on the ground, talk loudly, litter, and jump queues in some public facilities and private places. I hope that China will offer its people more chances to learn the codes of conduct in public.

Dena Libner director of Communications & External Affairs at NYC & Company

Did New York City see an increase in Chinese tourists?

NYC & Company forecasts that 852,000 Chinese tourists would visit New York City in 2015. (That would be a 14.7 percent increase from 2014, when 743,000 Chinese visited the city.) We feel confident in the forecast.

What kind of preparations did the company make for Chinese tourists?

We provides training programs for members on making attractions, hotels and destinations more welcoming to Chinese tourists.

What do Chinese tourists like to do when visiting NYC?

The most popular activities among Chinese visitors in New York City are shopping and sightseeing, followed closely by visits to art galleries and museums. Those three activities rank highest among nearly all the international visitors, which is no surprise: New York is a global capital for arts, culture and fashion.

A younger and more affluent generation of Chinese tourists is causing a shift in the Chinese market from predominantly business and group travel to independent, leisure travel. On average, Chinese visitors are planning their trips further in advance and traveling more with spouses and children.

How do Chinese visitors' activities differ or compare with those from other countries?

Chinese visitors were more likely to take in New York City's fine dining and cultural heritage sites than other international markets, as well as take guided tours. They were also less likely to go nightclubbing or dancing, or to attend concert, plays or musicals.

Kathryn Smits vice-president of International Tourism at the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board

Did Los Angeles see an increase in Chinese tourists? What do you think are the reasons for the increase?

We continue to see double-digit growth in visits from China and expect that trend to continue for at least the next two years. We attribute this growth to a number of factors, most notably the increased air services Chinese visitors have to Los Angeles.

Los Angeles has long been featured in films and television shows and as such, the Chinese have a high level of familiarity with the idea of Los Angeles and have cultivated a strong desire to experience its famous sites like the Hollywood sign, shopping on Rodeo Drive and celebrity culture. The increase in "free independent travelers" has also created an increased demand for other Los Angeles experiences, which are booming, including dining and culture.

What do Chinese tourists like to do when visiting Los Angeles?

Chinese travelers take advantage of all the diverse experiences Los Angeles has to offer, from theme parks like Universal Studios Hollywood to best-in-class shopping at places like the Citadel Outlets. Sporting events are also a primary attraction since Los Angeles is home to both the LA Clippers and Lakers. Visiting the sites made famous by the silver screen is usually at the top of an itinerary, with attractions like the Hollywood Walk of Fame or tours of the Dolby Theater serving as two popular examples.