The subtle power of Chinese tourists – Donald Greenlees

From the International Herald Tribune:

There was a time when the comparatively wealthy residents of Hong Kong were skeptical about the economic and social rewards of the mainland tourist invasion. Mainlanders were seen as lower spending and more demanding than either European or North American visitors.

But one new study of the economics of Chinese tourism paints a very different picture. The Chinese tourist might be thrifty and expect more value for money but individually leaves a bigger mark on the local economy than many more wealthy travelers.