Don't demonize Chinese tourists

Travel agencies and tour guides should remind Chinese tourists to behave properly overseas, said an article in Beijing Youth Daily (excerpts below).

Recent media reports cast a harsh light on the behavior of some Chinese tourists.

However, it's unfair to label an entire nation because the alleged behavior of a few.

China has become the world's largest market for outbound tourism. In 2012, more than 78 million Chinese people traveled aboard.

To put this in context, the figure represents 1.2 times of the number of US tourist going overseas and 3.5 times those from Japan.

Moreover, rude behavior is not unique to Chinese tourists. Other nations have had well-documented problems with their citizens overseas, including when they visited China.

Some Chinese tourists may be unaware of the behavior that is expected in other countries. That is why tour groups have a responsibility to inform them of appropriate conduct.