The Chinese will take 34.1 million trips abroad this year, the United Nations World Tourism Organization estimates. That's a 10% increase over 2005. By 2020, the number of foreign jaunts, mostly tourist travel, will hit 100 million, the organization predicts. By then, only Germans, the Japanese and Americans will travel abroad more.

Although about 90% of their trips are to Asian destinations, Chinese travelers tour the globe. Their top stop outside Asia: Europe, which will host nearly 1.4 million Chinese tourists this year, the economic research firm Global Insight estimates. North America is next, with about 376,000. Global Insight predicts a 40% to 50% increase in Chinese trips outside Asia by 2010.

The growth has the travel industry scrambling to cater to Chinese tourists, who have a reputation for seeking low-cost hotels, preferring Chinese food and "bagging" as many sights as possible rather than lingering to soak up the culture.

Tom Jenkins, executive director of the European Tour Operators Association, notes the same was true of American tourists when they ventured to Europe in the 1950s and '60s.

"The Chinese are no different," he says. "They opt for bargains. They spend mostly on what they want to take back home. And they eat food they're familiar with."

Jenkins doubts the Chinese will replace Americans or Japanese as Europe's most lucrative visitors any time soon. China's per capita income is less than $900 annually.

Related Reports
China Outbound Travel Market Report, 2004

China Tourism Industry Report, 2004-2005

Source:佚名