Zheng Wenqing, a public relations manager for New York Tourism Board’s China office said some 1,200 Chinese tourists celebrated the lunar New Year in New York between Feb. 14 and 20, spending an estimated $6 million.
Japanese retailers also reaped gains from Chinese tourists during the week. A local home appliance retailer, Bic Camera, reported that its store in Akihabara, Tokyo, saw its sales increase by 20 to 30% thanks to Chinese tourists.
Chinese consumers have become the No. 1 spender in more and more countries, studies and experts said.
The latest report by Global Refund, a company specializing in tax-free shopping for tourists, said Chinese tourists outspent the Russians in France last year. Chinese tourists spent $220.2 million in 2009.
Some 87% of the Chinese’s average total bill was on fashion items, including shoes and handbags, and 93% of their shopping was done in and around the French capital.
China Daily reported purchases made by the Chinese represented 15% of total spending by tourists in France in 2009.
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