VOA标准英语2011--US Travel Industry Caters to Chinese Tourists

US Travel Industry Caters¹ to Chinese Tourists

More and more people from China are traveling abroad as tourists. The number of Chinese travellers is growing so fast that Hilton Hotels hired the University of London's School of Oriental² and African Studies to conduct a study on Chinese tourists. Results of the study have helped Hilton to tailor many of its hotels around the world for its new guests from China.

Breakfast at the Los Angeles San Gabriel Hilton hotel is the first taste of the United States for many of the people staying here. About 70 percent of the guests are from China. Many of them are surprised by what is on the menu.

In addition to the traditional American breakfast foods of bacon and eggs, the kitchen also offers fried³ rice, dumplings, and other traditional Chinese breakfast foods. It is a welcome surprise for Zhou Yian, a tour guide from China.

"I feel touched," said Yian. "I'm just feeling like there isn't much difference from home."

She says breakfast is not the only surprise. There are also several Chinese television channels in her room.

The perks⁴ are a part of Hilton Hotels' new program to attract travelers from China. More than 50 Hilton hotels around the world are a part of the hotel chain's program called Hilton Huanying, meaning "welcome" in Chinese. Participating hotels also offer slippers⁵, Chinese teas and tea kettles in the rooms, a letter in Chinese and a Chinese speaking staff.

The majority of the staff at the Hilton Hotel in the Financial District of San Francisco is Chinese says general manager Kevin O'Brien.

"We've always been focused on the China market. This year it's grown really exponentially for us," said O'Brien.

According to a study by the University of London in 2010, more than 57 million tourists from China traveled outside the Mainland⁶. That's a 20 percent increase from the year before.

The report also finds that China's growing middle class, combined with more relaxed visa requirements in many countries around the world, has made it easier for many people from urban parts of China to travel outside the country.

The majority of Chinese tourists are traveling to Asian countries because of cost and convenience. However, there is a growing number of Chinese tourists who are flying to other parts of the world, and the United States is one of their top destinations.

Tour guide Zhou Yian says there are two reasons why Chinese tourists are choosing the U.S.

"First the Chinese Yuan is stronger against the U.S. dollar, so it's a better deal when you go shopping in the U.S.," noted⁷ Zhou Yian. "The second reason, the U.S. is the strongest country in the world so tourists want to visit."

She says one of the biggest attractions in the U.S. is shopping, even for items that are made in China.

"Many foreign companies have factories in China, but the standards are better for the items they sell overseas than in China. They have to maintain⁸ a global standard," Zhou Yian added.

Whether it's shopping or sightseeing, the travel agencies⁹ say they expect more and more Chinese tourists to travel to foreign countries in the next 10 years.

1 caters   

提供饮食及服务( cater的第三人称单数 )； 满足需要，适合

参考例句：

• That shop caters exclusively to the weaker sex. 那家商店专供妇女需要的商品。
• The boutique caters for a rather select clientele. 这家精品店为特定的顾客群服务。

2 oriental   

adj.东方的，东方人的，东方文化的

参考例句：

• China is an oriental country with a long history.中国是一个有着悠久历史的东方国家。
• They maintain a very powerful fleet in Oriental waters.他们在远东海域保持着一支非常强大的舰队。

3 fried   

adj.油煎的；油炒的

参考例句：

• I ate everything fried.所有油炸的我都吃。
• I prefer fried peanuts.我选择炸花生。

4 perks   

额外津贴，附带福利，外快( perk的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Perks offered by the firm include a car and free health insurance. 公司给予的额外待遇包括一辆汽车和免费健康保险。
• Are there any perks that go with your job? 你的工作有什么津贴吗？

5 slippers   

n. 拖鞋

参考例句：

• a pair of slippers 一双拖鞋
• He kicked his slippers off and dropped on to the bed. 他踢掉了拖鞋，倒在床上。

6 mainland   

n.大陆，本土

参考例句：

• The new bridge will link the island to the mainland.新的桥梁将把该岛与大陆连接在一起。
• Hong Kong's prosperity relies heavily on mainland.香港的繁荣在很大程度上依赖于大陆。

7 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

8 maintain   

vt.支撑；赡养，抚养；维持，保有

参考例句：

• He has to maintain a large family on a small salary.他不得不依靠很少的工资养活一家人。
• We must do our best to maintain sales at their usual rate.我们要尽力使销售额保持在平日的水平上。

9 agencies   

n.代理( agency的名词复数 )；服务机构；（政府的）专门机构；代理（或经销）业务（或关系）

参考例句：

• There are many specialized agencies in the United Nations. 联合国有许多专门机构。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The project is funded by the World Bank and other multilateral agencies. 这项计划由世界银行和其他多国机构资助。 来自《简明英汉词典》