Manners still missing in overseas travel

Other voices

Chinese citizens are expected to make 94.3 million overseas tours in 2013, a 15 percent year-on-year increase, making China the top country of origin for outbound tourists.

The UN World Tourism Organization said Chinese tourists spent $102 billion abroad in 2012, surpassing German and US travelers as the world's top international spenders.

Tom Jenkins, executive director of the European Tour Operators Association, said, "When many (Chinese) people come, the behavior of one or two individuals creates headlines, although 99.9 percent behave beautifully."

Dai Bin, head of the China Tourism Academy, said during an online chat with Internet users on Aug 13 that over the past decades China had grown from being "a child" in the global tourism industry into the world's largest source of outbound tourists.

"A child suddenly grows up and naturally attracts others' attention," he said, adding that some people have overreacted to Chinese tourists' misbehavior.

"We should separate cultural differences from illegal conduct. For instance, fighting on a plane is not allowed anywhere."

Chen Chaoying, founder and manager of the Mandarin Voyages Travel Agency in Paris, who has 20 years' experience in the tourism industry, said: "Much of the behavior that is considered uncivilized has to do with cultural differences. For example, speaking loudly is often considered rude in France, but for Chinese people it is normal.

"Many Spanish and Italian tourists also speak loudly. It has to do with their personalities and different ways of living.

"Twenty years ago, most tourists from China were sent by the government. They wore similar suits and shiny leather shoes. Now, Chinese tourists come from all kinds of backgrounds and they are dressed more casually and have better interaction with the local people and cultures.

"There is also a lot of criticism that Chinese tourists spend lavishly on luxury goods abroad. I think it is a matter of personal choice and freedom."

Travel habits and consumer behavior will gradually change as outbound tourism develops, Chen added.

"Traveling is a process of personal enrichment and education," he said. "Chinese don't need to be so self-critical. In fact, the image of Chinese tourists nowadays is not as bad as people think at home.

"They do love taking photos, but you will hardly find any Chinese tourists on the Champs Elysees in Paris who spit or talk loudly. And most of them receive a very warm and friendly welcome in the countries they visit."

Yet, in August, more than 2,500 comments were made about the misbehavior of Chinese tourists overseas on Sina.com.cn, a major Chinese news portal.

Most people said the Chinese should reflect more about themselves, the bottom line being that a tourist should respect, not disturb, others.

Changing habits

On Aug 6, People's Daily cited cases involving China's neighbors to explain that improving the behavior of outbound tourists requires constant work.

It said that in the 1960s, Japanese visitors left a negative impression around the world. To solve the problem, the Japanese government printed an etiquette brochure, using cartoons to teach citizens behavior such as not walking in the street in slippers.

Sina.com.cn also said in a column that in the 1990s many people from South Korea were embarrassed by the behavior of some of their compatriots abroad.

The South Korean authorities later suggested all outbound travelers from the country take lessons on the cultures of the countries they were to visit before leaving.

In recent weeks, high-ranking Chinese officials have called on citizens to behave in a more civilized manner on overseas trips.

On July 31, the China National Tourism Administration issued six notices about "civilized tourism" in one day. The documents included a guide for outbound tourists, which is soon expected to be included in travel contracts. Tourists failing to behave well may be fined.

Some Chinese media said the recent official moves are a third government attempt to improve Chinese people's habits, following previous efforts in 1952 and 1981.

Will the situation improve? Kay Popken from Lufthansa thinks it will take time.

"The solution lies in better preparation for everyone and in getting tourists genuinely interested in a country, its people and its culture."

Wang Mingjie in London contributed to this story.