First Chinese Tour Group to Hawaii

The first Chinese organized tour of the United States began today with 250 visitors arriving from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong. Each person paid approximately $4,000 to be part of the tour.

Chinese visitors have previously been able to visit independently. An agreement signed last year which made the United States an approved destination, however, is expected to significantly increase Chinese travel here, possibly to the tune of billions of dollars. Chinese tour operators can now market packages to U.S. destinations and the United States can advertise travel directly in China.

Surprisingly, according to U.S. Department of Commerce, Chinese travelers on average spend $6,000 per visit to the United States; the highest per capita from any country.

This first tour group is spending 12 days in Washington D. C., New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, and in Hawaii. Special events honoring them will take place in various cities including Honolulu.

The United States is China’s fifth largest tourist destination, and last year more than 700,000 Chinese visited our country.