HELLO KITTY'S WELCOME: Chinese tourists are welcomed by the Japanese tourism representative—the Hello Kitty in the Narita Airport near Tokyo (REN ZHENGLAI)

"The number of Chinese tourists for U.S. tours soared in 2011," said Zou Xiang, a tour guide for the U.S. line at Beijing UTour International Travel Service Co. Ltd. "Compared with previous years when most travelers to the United States were mainly rich businessmen, more and more ordinary people have joined the club."

Earlier, it cost 30,000 yuan to 40,000 yuan ($4,746 to $6,328) for a half-month tour in the United States, but the price has been reduced to about 20,000 yuan ($3,164) now. It's more affordable. More elderly people, sponsored by their children or with their lifetime savings, are going to the United States for sightseeing, said Zou.

The United States is currently the fourth most popular foreign country for mainland tourists, thanks to the Approved Destination Status agreement signed between the two countries in 2007. Under the agreement, mainland tourists can visit the United States after completing a tourist-friendly visa processes.

The concept that travel should be an indispensable part of people's daily life is more and more prevalent among Chinese.

"Travel has become a habit for me," said Wang. "It's always more interesting to live my life when I go to a new place to feel how other people live their lives and then come back to my own life. It's also so good to live in an era that I can go freely to anywhere in the world."

"I enjoyed the whole process of my journey," said Wang Bin, a staff member of the library at Peking University. "I traveled to Nepal in 2010, I deeply enjoyed the natural and cultural landscapes, beauty of different ethnic groups and its exotic food."

Except for taking trips for sightseeing or leisure, Chinese tourists are renowned for their high purchasing power. Shopping tours, especially duty-free shopping and cross-border shopping, became another bright spot.

Chinese tourists spent nearly $44 billion outside the country in 2010, putting them behind only Germany, the United States and the UK in terms of international spending, said a report released by the World Tourism Organization.

According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, in 2011, 79,531 Chinese tourists visited Hawaii, and the number is predicted to reach 116,000 in 2013 and 167,000 in 2015.

Appeals

In an effort to have a more convenient and enjoyable journey abroad, tourists are calling for more favorable visa policies for Chinese nationals. More services in Chinese should be provided in foreign countries as Chinese flock to foreign shores.

Chinese travelers and travel agencies long for a more simplified visa process and a larger quota in order to match the ever-increasing demands of Chinese travelers.

"It's been pretty difficult for us to travel because of the visa process as Chinese citizens," said Wang Yuanwang.

"Mainland tourists still have to wait for a visa interview, sometimes two months ahead of the departure. One of my friends wanted to go to Argentina. It took her two months and 8,000 yuan ($1,266) to apply for the visa. Ordinary people can hardly afford this. I hope the government can step in and get things done to make this whole process easier for us."

"In many U.S. hotels, restaurants and shopping areas, Chinese language services are provided to facilitate mainland visitors," said Wang Ye, a staff member with the outbound tourism business of Beijing Tourism Group's International Travel & Tours.

"A lot more has to be done to make travel for Chinese tourists easier and more welcoming," said Zou of Beijing Utour International. "After realizing the enormous potential of Chinese tourists, foreign countries should take bigger steps to make it more convenient for us to travel."

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