News That Stays News

Chinese tourists December 29, 2010

The Economist has a story about what drives the Chinese to visit Europe. There is a fair deal of sneering at new money. One of the best observations is something that I’ve found true in my personal experience (ask my parents about it sometime):

Tourism is certainly not about discovering new food. A 2006 survey of Chinese coach travellers found that 46% had eaten “European” food only once, and 10% not at all, during holidays on the continent. Clients at Ansel Travel are typically offered foreign food once in each country: seafood in Paris, ham knuckle in Germany, pasta in Italy and so on. After that, “it’s Chinese all the way.” Many stay in suburban hotels and eat noodles.