RETURN OF CHINESE TOURISTS – A HEADACHE FOR ASIAN NEIGHBORS
Return of Chinese Tourists – A Headache for Asian Neighbors
Recent trends for Chinese tourists planning their holiday in East Asia have caused a headache for some of their neighbors. With the resurgence of regional tourism from China, the commercial opportunities offered to their neighbors have triggered some level of unease due to their large numbers.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, global tourism saw a steep decline in 2020. However, the Chinese have been a bright spot for East Asia as citizens have ventured out to regional holiday destinations. This shift in behavior has caused some issues for their neighbors as the Chinese bring a unique set of needs and desires that can create a level of friction.
Impact on Tourist Destinations
The influx of Chinese tourists has presented two main issues for East Asian countries. Firstly, their sheer numbers can far exceed the resources available at destinations and subsequently create an uncomfortable environment. Secondly, the demands made by Chinese tourists can differ to those of other nationalities and cause disruption.
This can come in the form of large groups of tourists taking advantage of discount deals, or large Chinese cruise ships encroaching on local cultures. For instance, South Korea has seen increased tensions between small fishing villages and large tour boats from China in their coastal areas.
Commercial Opportunities
Despite the issues posed, there are commercial opportunities for those countries that attract Chinese tourists. This is a result of the buying habits of the Chinese; with the market in places such as Thailand and South Korea becoming increasingly driven by Chinese demand. As such, these countries have had to quickly adapt to provide services that Chinese tourists want.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the return of Chinese tourists to East Asian countries has been welcomed as a boost to their domestic economies. However, issues have arisen from the unique demands and large numbers that can often pose problems for those destinations. In order for East Asia to reap the benefits of Chinese tourism, it must take steps to manage the impact for locals and tourists alike. In recent months, there has been a surge in Chinese tourists traveling abroad, causing a headache for some of the country’s Asian neighbors.
The Chinese economy has been growing rapidly in recent years and with it, the number of Chinese tourists travelling to other countries has been gradually increasing every year. According to the World Tourism Organization, 5.5 million Chinese tourists took overseas trips in the first three months of 2018 alone – a year-on-year increase of 13.7 percent.
This increased demand for overseas trave has been a source of concern for China’s neighbors. The influx of Chinese tourists into countries such as Thailand, Japan and South Korea has caused a dramatic increase in prices due to the greater demand for services such as hotels and restaurants. This has led to resentment amongst locals, who feel as though their countries are being taken over by Chinese tourists.
The effects of this influx are not just limited to economics. Chinese tourists often face accusations of having poor manners and not respecting local customs, which has been another source of irritation amongst locals. This was particularly extreme in South Korea, where a physical altercation between Chinese tourists and locals sparked national outrage.
In response to this surge in Chinese tourists, some of China’s neighbors are beginning to take action. The South Korean government has implemented a crackdown on illegal tour operators, while the Japanese government passed a new law that gave police more power to repatriate tourists who break the law.
Although these steps have been taken to address the issue, the underlying problem remains. Unless the influx of Chinese tourists begins to slow down, the issue is likely to remain a headache for China’s neighbors for some time to come.
