Money burns hole in mainlanders' pocket in outbound trips

AC Nielsen published results of a joint survey with Tax Free World Association (TFWA) yesterday, saying Chinese tourists spent 987 USD per capita on average in their trips outbound, the highest in the world.

From 2000 to 2004, 76 percent tourists from the mainland chose Hong Kong as their top destination. 61 percent preferred other Asian areas and nations. 48 percent favored Macao. More than 70 percent travelers to HK from the mainland say shopping was the main reason for their choice of HK.

In 2004, 29 million Chinese made outbound travels. That was a surge of 43 percent over 2003. While their spending on a single trip was second only to Japan, their bill for shopping was the highest. One third of their budget went to shopping.

The survey shows nearly 100 percent travelers from the mainland bought something in their outbound trips. Those visiting Europe paid as much as 1781 USD for shopping per capita on average.

The survey involved some 1500 Chinese consumers in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou who traveled to HK, Macao, other Asian and European nations and areas in the recent half year on business or for recreation purpose.

By People's Daily Online