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Hospitality for Chinese Guests – February 8, 2012 The Canadian tourism industry continues to target the growing Chinese market following Canada officially receiving Approved Destination Status (ADS) from China in 2010. The ADS designation allows Chinese Nationals to travel to Canada in large tour groups, a widely popular model that gives tourists the advantage of group travel while providing a worry free vacation with every aspect pre-organized. Chinese Citizens can now apply for a ten year multiple-entry visa to travel to Canada. Over the course of this decade China will become the second largest source of tourists after the United States. According to the World Travel Market Global Trends Report 2011, the continued growth in Chinese outbound and domestic travel will change the global hospitality industry forever. The report, produced in association with Euromonitor International, says that the Chinese will spend US$57 billion on accommodation this year, third in the world behind the US and Germany. By 2015, the Chinese will be number two, with their spending up 17% to $67 billion. This is an opportunity we as hoteliers need to be ready for. Our Chinese guests have high hopes and expectations of Canada. We must, therefore, adopt the correct form of tact and diplomacy, and show ourselves to be most welcoming in our hospitality. In terms of succeeding in our relationships with the Chinese tourists, cultural sensitivity with regard to their needs and expectations plays a key role. Aside from having brochures, websites, menus and leaflets translated into Chinese, we must also take into consideration the customs in China, in organizing holiday or leisure activities, as well as in accommodating preferences in meals and in-room décor and amenities.
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