How to be a Chinese Tourist | 101 East

they've got their passports pack their bags and set off to see the world Chinese tourists are travelling like never before and Paris with its museums and luxury shopping is their destination of choice their spending is a welcome boost to the French economy but locals complain that a clash of cultures is changing the very nature of their city I'm Steve Chang on this episode of 101 East we ask what it will take to turn the plane loads of first time travelers from China and a welcomed sight seers the neighbors will go yeah it hasn't been a good year for the city of love Paris has been rocked by terror attacks submerged by floods and racked by violent protests and strikes it's meant a slow start to the summer tourist season and visitor numbers from most countries have plummeted but not the Chinese for them Paris is still the most popular destination outside of Asia at times the center of the city can look more like downtown Beijing especially in the shopping district outside Stephanie Verret restaurant and bar here the all-important French greeting Bonjour has been replaced Zhi hao yeah according to Stephanie good French manners and etiquette have also disappeared then on say hello they don't speak English they don't speak French they all new speak Chinese when you have 10 people Chinese people coming it's very noisy and I don't understand but she says what really gets to her is the spitting hi other woman she came and she stood down and she I don't know the name in English in in the floor and you're like whoa inside inside she was just sitting I can't move them in you and she Stephanie has lived and worked in this street for 25 years rue de Provence was lined with typical Parisian shops until a Chinese restaurant opened a few years ago next to it it was a bar a real typical bar French bar you know people thinking coffee in bright Sun within two years almost all of the owners were offered large amounts of cash by Chinese proprietors so all of these small businesses then all sold to China it was these days the little village is no more aside from the crowds competition between the new Chinese business owners is fierce our camera cannot touch the camera have they ever tried to buy your business yeah we had some proposition yes what I refuse we have also a guide who asked us to open for night but only for making Chinese food so I'm I don't know how to do Chinese food so I just refused this one yes Stephanie wants to be clear she's not against Chinese tourists Asia she admits that business would be tough without them nearly 2 million Chinese tourists visited Paris last year spending more than 1 billion euros more than the Japanese or the Americans but she says culturally she finds the large tour groups hard to deal with we tried to learn Chinese we tried to be nice with them because you know it's not their fault it's just two different culture if the guy could just take time to explain to them in the bus don't do that this is not normal watch out the clash of cultures from inexperienced Chinese tourists has been well-documented on social media around the globe there's the man who had a bath in a Venice canal a student who graffiti'd his name on an Egyptian temple fight at the airport fights on the plane fights at the buffet table all this has led to Chinese authorities threatening to blacklist badly behaved tourists and ban them from traveling abroad but is this the whole picture a Chinese really worse than other tourists or they simply misunderstood as millions embarked on their first trips abroad being a Chinese tourist in Paris isn't all that easy as I'm about to find out this is Yolanda she's teaching Chinese tour guides how to handle busloads of tourists in Paris the first lesson is don't stay in one place for very long - we have your attention innocent Yolanda has lived in Paris for 14 years and likes to think of herself as a bridge builder teaching Chinese about Paris and Parisians about Chinese if she stops for long enough I'll try to find out how she does it they give us often he bent down and really our passion seemed to hold that look even that those currents are the second lesson is to keep up follow the phone she's holding open collar you learn to manages to keep the group of tour guides together and to keep us marching despite the expected photo stops and toilet stops the fever has always something they look heavier and you can unfold even having softer what random is all but a quantity of sites rather than quality seems to be the name of the game Yolanda tells us most Chinese clients just want a quick overview nothing too in-depth for instance they're probably not interested in the facet artists like Picasso and Dali made this area a mecca of modern art and I love my friend a video by that one citizen find out in the 100 biography it's all starting to be a blur we going had a cracking pace we just went up the steps of the sacre-coeur in about two minutes and she's still going the area offers some of the best views of Paris if you can manage to stop your Lander for long enough to get a selfie okay hop back on the bus it's time for lessons in French culture walk on the right side of the road don't allow your tourists to push to the front of the queue third step back when I push it to the diagonal if I want to sit up or went on my going to the floor now top-heavy so German are you sure what this young woman do what little pussies at each of these guides will be responsible for groups of 40 or more tourists it can be a lot to handle from the edge of the fabulous Thank You only talk about what I'm doing on time one time one in your heart removal I saw a var the whole ocean is a hormone counselor you should really passionate Australian China's growing wealth and huge population means many of the tourists in big groups are first-time visitors overseas when the Klan arrived here they don't know they don't know the culture of your robot even in France you know we need to give them some tips yeah what are the main tips about the culture the culture are we need to wait because unless we need to be patient and sometimes we need to also say how do they please thank you I'll just be polite is that different in China sometimes we are very hurry you know that is here everything your time is ticking is a take your time and relax I think you go very far no that's not very much for today just the UT could relax them if then no more journey you know sometimes more faster than that but Yolanda says compared to years gone by Chinese people are becoming more sophisticated travelers in fact before they just don't know how to be simply on taking the foreign country is a little bit closed and we've come together you enough information armed with Yolanda's instruction I'm ready to join a tour group they seem like a friendly Bunch mr. Li Jiang is their guy like many Chinese tour groups they aren't staying in Paris but 20 kilometres outside of the city dogs huh sure they're noob you know mugak where's our new Joseph and Ian getting used to the food here has been a big challenge for some hotels like this one specifically cater to the tastes and needs of Chinese tourists like bigger breakfasts and hot drinking water in the rooms this is Shah Jan and his family his name means mr. summer which is quite apt for someone on holiday so where are you from in China uh woman's home search and joshing later it's his first time in Europe the trip of a lifetime he's travelling for 19 days with his wife two sister-in-laws his daughter and granddaughter Feifei single concern see you Pooja sergey gaza city city look what happen - hold on so who is shrub in the last two weeks they've been to Finland Switzerland Italy Luxembourg Germany Holland and Belgium but today is especially exciting mr. summer has always wanted to see the sights of Paris effort Qatar the Maharaja the food locally - my mom Mona Lisa Mona Lisa yeah really the would you come ooon what's been your favorite part of the tour so far the bottle either can have justice coach to be you know the opening at all they only have two nights in Paris and its surrounds that means you guessed it we have to hurry here we go on our Whistlestop tour of Paris this is one of the more upmarket Chinese tours mr. summer is the owner of a garment factory and can afford the luxury coach good news right now find out how virtually yes ma'am what is different about Europe from China it's obvious treat us happy which are sort of immunity Cinco de wallen she shoot after day Linda's it's Jen can you remove the consensus yet choices compatible what's in that so far his impressions are good but there are some downsides to France as we're about to find out at our first stop the palace of their side engine is available cut publicity village if you're a husband are you exactly that's not the one I want you to meet thousands of tourists are standing outside the palace gates are closed mr. Li goes in search of answers that's because I'm up but it doesn't look good and they don't want us to film my humility strikes that have been crippling France in protest over labor law reform have reached the Chateau children without a microwave to do is mg poor I can help liar you are how about walking gentle I got you see it's just if I want to you to go la Nova lot of artists and cigar girl which is a guy go put out of our committee holder Cabrio are useful in Jogja room into the nursery tales often engage or hug I'm dead oh yeah Abbas Tamagotchi I'm so sorry they don't know ba come to your - vital coming from state-controlled china a strike is a new concept for mr. summer this is a mobile ma mark Worman Rajan said we were booked on enough similar New Year's at sunshine she feels it's tomorrow super here is a solution now give us but not everything in Europe's good hahaha what can do of India ha ha what will you do now it's inevitable bad they're too thin lot actually teacher Coachella good luck we're less less familiar they say in France Tel Aviv for fossils focusing on my butt is running broken lemon the Lots off onto you now I live back on the bus he's not the only one whose romantic notions of a Parisian holiday have been challenged changes to the schedule mean precious minutes have been wasted and tempers afraid a fight has broken out over who gets to sit in the front seats of the bus people watching squaw you're turnin said to put your tip or cheats or thi yeah I've got my pouch here two sisters from Shanghai are upset that mr. summons family wanted to sit in the seats your book and thoughtful and fun and silly me and courageous you're going visit either awesome many days of travel are starting to take their toll but we press on to the next stop the Chateau Fontainebleau its doors are open but mr. summer has no desire to see the museum it's the garden that most stands him north we began the smells of nature are a novelty for many who are more used to the smells of a big city ha ha good job they only have an hour to spend here but a break in the garden has definitely lifted everyone's moved even the sisters from Shanghai cheered our juicer can do gym when a coke coke or C oh sure Oh Shawn song cuz self ongoing an amazing happen but soon enough time is up and it's back to the hustle but not before a bit of karaoke on the bus as the tool continues the views keep coming thick and fast there's so much to see in such little time to save precious minutes drive rather than walk up the world's most beautiful Avenue take a quick stop at the Arc de Triomphe for a group photo pause to consider the wonder of Nitra damn lemon juice until you check kiss there are she your solution I'll tell you if her mother says on one machine hair and pinch yourself in those moments you realize you really are in Paris ever took her Warlow not having her you not about having enough but for mr. summer the highlight of the afternoon is a visit to the musee de louvre where he can live out his dream of seeing the famous Mona Lisa by certain took our life over if they can work out where it is lose without despite receiving almost a million Chinese visitors a year there are no audio guides in Mandarin and the map is in English so it's difficult for them to find their way and to understand what it is they're looking at yes University mere to Italy o'clock listen you for the first time clearly bewitched by the treasures on display mr. summer forgets to take out his phone and just save as the moment but time is ticking and the Mona Lisa remains elusive me for what Camilla in the end I helped him out a bit yeah it's a move walk there we go the Mona Lisa oh yeah sure that's amateur that you for wha doesn't work can they go and Joseph oh yeah and alia can - it's up here okay got some a shot so much alright so much idea yeah sure Josh you're not swinging guess it's invalid shoes were washer Angus ha ha ha Hodja Hodja has a walk can another make handle alert watch yo yo yo ho can you guess the warm fuzzy huh disappointed yeah so you Halima cancels and Bernie on now Thank You Tashi de this is a champion cancel just what you pushing the owner the Mona Lisa hasn't lived up to his expectations but at least he finds the sculptor's impressive because he yeah once your saloon of the comers for that Segovia campus order Segundo so Louie teon compositions selenium yo-yo solar module one changer since if there's ever next time maybe he'll get longer to appreciate them huh awesome it wouldn't be a proper tour without time for shopping the average Chinese tourist in France spends more on shopping than food entertainment and accommodation combined I saw you were in business class and you had lots of cash what was the money for just gone Pocoyo so digital insula was a solar a trip like this costs about seventy thousand US dollars per person almost half of that is spent in the stores are you going shopping so you know what yeah made up Oh would you tell career this year will help with you somebody else we do have a gun for me photo ops it famous sights can impress friends but returning home with real-deal luxury goods gives much more tangible bragging rights every night so though Wilson the job what else it was just wonderful late immediately do the hook that's because you've been running around so much you've worn out your shoes shoe from a bar shoot the biggest crowds of shoppers locked to the luxury department store Gallerie Lafayette which has a dedicated entrance and shopping area just for Chinese tourists all day shoppers spill out of a constant stream of buses on a mission the designer labels cheaper than they can buy at home it's no coincidence they end up here tour operators are paid big commissions to drive Chinese customers into department stores and keep them there for far longer than a visit to the museums or monuments someone who knows more than most about Chinese shopping habits is Philip Arena he advises luxury brands about the Chinese market and here in Paris getting buyers through the door is a complicated business there are agreements that are made with with tour operators in China and a second agreement that is made with the outbound travel agency a third agreement with the inbound French travel agency a fourth agreement with the with the local tour guide and the fifth finally even with the bus driver typically you're talking five percent for each hand that it passes who pays those commissions all the big department stores and brands rejected our requests for interviews but Phillip knows the inside workings of this industry the brand certainly do pay some of this and also the department store pays some of this and we're talking a huge industry oh yes absolutely oh yes very large industry millions billions hundreds of millions yeah he says Chinese choppers now account for up to half of luxury brand sales worldwide 85% of those purchases are made in Europe or the US but Phillip argues paying Commission is short-sighted Chinese consumers are becoming more discerning they don't like being forced on shopping marches and wealthier Chinese are opting out of bus tours and traveling independently locals like Stephanie have stopped shopping at the department stores they say they're fed up with the crowds do you know that - Kelly no forget it's a first but embarrassed to be visit after the effort Dawa her restaurant is just a hundred meters away that's why the tour groups are so prominent on her street washer her but she realizes the future of her business depends on adapting to this new clientele you have veg Chinese people in the neighborhood you have to do with it they bring your money she's begun making signs to give tips to Chinese tourists and has even picked up a bit of Mandarin whoever vapor what's your staff be careful and the other one is if you sit left to drink for those Parisians who worry there are already too many Chinese tourists in their city they need to prepare for more the authorities here want to double the number coming to five million a year and it shouldn't be that difficult today only 7% of the Chinese population has a passport but many more have plans to travel the saying goes that travel opens the gateway to knowledge now that the gateway between China and the world has been flung wide open there's a lot for everyone to learn about each other you

Channel: Al Jazeera English

Views: 1,320,188

Rating: 4.6553016 out of 5

Keywords: documentary, full documentary, Asia-Pacific, holidays, tourism, vacations, Al Jazeera English, paris, al Jazeera, jazeera, 101 East, asia, france, China, culture, tourists, Eiffel Tower, Mona Lisa, cina, orient, extreme orient, asia tourism, aljazeera, aljazeera english, Chinese Tourist, Tourist, tourism in china, documentaries, french, french culture, europe, china al jazeera, al jazeera china, france china, french chinese, chinese movies, picasso, louvre, lafayette

Id: ZVhbRtnjT0E

Length: 25min 30sec (1530 seconds)

Published: Thu Jul 28 2016

Reddit Comments

[u/Wanderous]

This is a pretty crap topic title for how good and insightful this video is.

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[u/[deleted]]

With only 7 per cent of the Chinese public holding passports, it is quite interesting to see how many of them will start to travel abroad in the future. China is such a large country, that many people get there travel needs covered within the country itself. Just like Americans can go skiing, to the beach, the desert, big cities, small towns and tropical islands, within leaving the country.

As a European from a country of only 5 million people (Denmark), not holding a passport is so foreign to me! I have been to all continents beside Antarctis and Oceania, but I am far from the most travelled person in my group of friends.

I think there will be more Chinese tourists in the future, and they are bound to improve in behaviour. Simply by getting more collective experience. And yes, most tourists depicted in this documentary were quite nice and not rudeor offensive at all.!!

[u/nocandodo]

They spit on the floor inside a restaurant .....just watched the whole video...

[u/ravangers]

Thai woman flips out over rude Chinese tourists

[u/Keudn]

I'll probably get a lot of flak for this but living with two Chinese roommates my freshman year of college made me a bit jaded. Its amazing how obnoxious and gross Chinese people can be. I'm sure to them Americans have just as annoying things that we do and don't notice, but man it is beyond annoying when a couple of their friends came by. Plus the constant slurping of noodles and wearing shoes in the shower (which would then track water across the dorm room) and the smoking. At least they didn't spit on the floor.

[u/TheHornerGene]

Living in Washington DC, I can relate to some of this. On memorial day this year my wife and I visited the Vietnam War Memorial only to find many, many Asian tourists simply fetishizing the memorialized pictures and names of GIs on the wall. Their collective lack of discretion with cameras and phones is very disrespectful and offensive to Americans.

[u/much_milk]

Chinese Tourists in a Prawn Buffet in Thailand

More like 'all you can grab'

[u/azz808]

French Person: The Chinese are very rude. They're impolite and ignore initial greetings. They're taking our job!!