A tourist from China poses for a photo in front of the New York Stock Exchange on June 15. Major hotel brands are bending over backward to cater to the needs of the worlds most sought-after traveler: the Chinese tourist. Now arriving on American shores in unprecedented numbers thanks to a streamlined visa process and a rising Chinese middle class, Chinese tourists are being treated to the comforts of home when they check in at the front desk.
Associated Press
Chinese visitors to the U.S. have increased in recent years, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Here’s a look at the numbers:
Ÿ 2004: 203,000 visitors
Ÿ 2005: 270,000
Ÿ 2006: 320,000
Ÿ 2007: 397,000
Ÿ 2008: 493,000
Ÿ 2009: 525,000
Ÿ 2010: 802,000
Ÿ 2011: 1.09 million
China has also catapulted into the top-10 list for countries with the most visitors to the U.S. The top 10 in 2011:
1. Canada: 21.03 million visitors
2. Mexico: 13.41 million
3. United Kingdom 3.84 million
4. Japan: 3.25 million
5. Germany: 1.82 million
6. Brazil: 1.51 million
7. France: 1.5 million
8. South Korea: 1.15 million
9. China: 1.09 million
10. Australia: 1.04 million
The top 10 countries visiting the U.S. in 2010:
1. Canada: 19.96 million
2. Mexico: 13.47 million
3. United Kingdom: 3.85 million
4. Japan: 3.39 million
5. Germany: 1.73 million
6. France: 1.34 million
7. Brazil: 1.2 million
8. South Korea: 1.11 million
9. Australia: 904,000
10. Italy: 838,000
A group of tourists from China take in the sights of the New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall National Memorial on June 15. Major hotel brands are bending over backward to cater to the needs of the worlds most sought-after traveler: the Chinese tourist. Now arriving on American shores in unprecedented numbers thanks to a streamlined visa process and a rising Chinese middle class, Chinese tourists are being treated to the comforts of home when they check in at the front desk.
Associated Press
A group of tourists from China take in the sights of the New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall National Memorial on June 15. Major hotel brands are bending over backward to cater to the needs of the worlds most sought-after traveler: the Chinese tourist. Now arriving on American shores in unprecedented numbers thanks to a streamlined visa process and a rising Chinese middle class, Chinese tourists are being treated to the comforts of home when they check in at the front desk.
Associated Press
Tea is offered to Chinese travelers upon check-in is displayed at the W Times Square hotel in New York. Major hotel brands are bending over backward to cater to the needs of the worlds most sought-after traveler: the Chinese tourist. Now arriving on American shores in unprecedented numbers thanks to a streamlined visa process and a rising Chinese middle class, Chinese tourists are being treated to the comforts of home when they check in at the front desk.
Associated Press
A group of tourists from China take in the sights of the New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall National Memorial on June 15. Major hotel brands are bending over backward to cater to the needs of the worlds most sought-after traveler: the Chinese tourist. Now arriving on American shores in unprecedented numbers thanks to a streamlined visa process and a rising Chinese middle class, Chinese tourists are being treated to the comforts of home when they check in at the front desk.
Associated Press
A sample of the kind of food that is offered to Chinese travelers upon check-in is displayed at the W Times Square hotel in New York. Major hotel brands are bending over backward to cater to the needs of the worlds most sought-after traveler: the Chinese tourist. Now arriving on American shores in unprecedented numbers thanks to a streamlined visa process and a rising Chinese middle class, Chinese tourists are being treated to the comforts of home when they check in at the front desk.
Associated Press
This Tuesday, June 19, 2012, photo shows Chinese translations of menus and other information that are made available to Chinese travelers at the W Times Square hotel in New York. Major hotel brands are bending over backward to cater to the needs of the worlds most sought-after traveler: the Chinese tourist. Now arriving on American shores in unprecedented numbers thanks to a streamlined visa process and a rising Chinese middle class, Chinese tourists are being treated to the comforts of home when they check in at the front desk.
Associated Press