Chinese Tourists’ U.S. Spending Has Plunged. The Trade War May Be to Blame.

Really ? You are using San Francisco's tourist count in this story, really ? Have you been there lately ? How about L.A., been there ? People are not going there because beautiful California is falling into a cess pool. It is beyond the scope they show on TV, way beyond. Three years ago San Francisco was going down, fast, still falling, although I am not certain how much lower it can go. The Govenor should be ashamed, every member of the California government should be ashamed, deeply ashamed. Now how do you fix this before it gets worse ? This is the true reason for people not coming to certain areas, as far as the other areas it just shows the Chinese are not earning as much as they once did, it shows the tariffs are taking a bite out of their leisure. That means they are working.

I just read a NZ article that said tourism numbers are still motoring along nicely, for visitors to N.Z.

What is missing from this article is a comparison of Chinese tourism rate trends to other countries with good relations with China, such as Greece. Without that information, conclusions regarding the impact of US policy on Chinese tourism to the United States cannot be made.

There is a trade war, of course less Chinese will come. I barely see a mention that the Yuan has been weak against the Dollar for some time. Would you go visit somewhere where you are not liked and is getting more expensive?

If tourism numbers dip in NZ, the government goes all out to work hand in hand with the business community and Government departments that liaison with the tourism business community, to correct what's wrong. Our nations government is open and realistic and realises the value of tourism. Does Trump invest in tourism in the U.S.A? I think not what with his lack of spending in this area, and not having protections on the environment. Gun control would also help U.S.A. get more tourists. Tourism is NZ's biggest income earner. Our partially government owned national airline, Air New Zealand is running it's first ever direct flight to the U.S.A. next year. A direct flight from Auckland to New York.

Trump shoud be taught the Chinese proverb "Every step makes a footprint."

As a Canadian, I no longer buy any “Made in USA” products because of your dysfunctional president. We also did our final trip to the USA in the summer of 2016. Probably not as big a ripple as the Chinese. But, yes, we do have a digital subscription to this newspaper.

Ever been on line with Chinese tourists? At a food business? Is it that great a loss?

This entire presidency is nothing but unanticipated side-effects.

What do people expect what you have a President that takes away the welcome mat?

I could be wrong but it could also be that this study is trying to tie two completely separate things. Tourist heavy places like UAE, Qatar, Greece among others are doing a lot to woo the Chinese tourists to their country. It may just be that they are visiting these places instead of coming to the US. A lot of these countries are warming up to the idea that the real money spenders are no longer in Europe or the US but in China.

It will also affect Airbnb properties that get rented out to tourists. Lots of investors buy homes to let to Airbnb tourists and one good thing about it might mean that foreigners and other speculators will sell their properties and families will get the homes back again, for permanent occupation, instead of them being rented commercially, like a motel unit.

it appears that the Chinese's patriotism and will power is stronger than America's. Do you think for a minute that Americans would spend a little bit more to buy American goods over Chinese goods to help with the trade deficit and to support the government's fight for fair trade? Trump needs to realize he's up against a formidable foe.

About a year ago, when Trump was bad mouthing China, and humiliating the leader, from his tweet missile bunker, the retort from the Chinese communist government was that they told their citizens not to visit the USA as it was a very dangerous place to visit. (That's what I read in a NZ news article.) At the end of the day China is a communist nation and they do what they're told. Someone needs to check out whether there are hold ups and problems trying to get a visa to visit USA, from China, as that's one tactic their government uses when it's angry with what a nation has said. Quite often in the NZ news I read where China has held up shipments and says it's because the paperwork isn't correct or some other fake reason. There are many subtle ways China gets back at nations that anger them. Do a web search: China issues U.S. travel warning amid trade tensions. And don't forget tourism is like an export shipment of goods as it's bringing money into the nation. Also, maybe China is realising that they might have censored internet in their nation but once the tourists go to a Democracy they can read what they want on the internet. Maybe their government is realising this and directing their communist citizens to visit nations like Russia, that also has censored internet controls.

Patriotism is not just an American phenomena, the average Chinese person can be just as patriotic. There are many other countries competing for the Chinese tourist dollars. Let’s face it, they are wonderful tourists. They spend money and are mostly respectful and low maintenance with very little obnoxious and destructive behaviours. A war is a war and people will take sides. Surprisingly, the Chinese people will take China’s side. Choosing another country to visit is not as much as a hardship or sacrifice as some people might think it is. Canada has an economic and political beef with China, but we have a Prime Minister that keeps these issues contained, he doesn’t use that emotionally charged language that incites all-out divisiveness and anger.

One should never forget that if you scratch the surface in China, there is a deep string of xenophobia. It's the basis of their historic and political DNA. The mantra, both historic and used today by the CP is, "Outside countries are intent on sabotaging China's growth." Any downturn and all failures will be notched up in the sabotage column so no one in the US should be surprised that our so called Trade War is facing this kind of trade off.' The Chinese are fiercely patriotic and if you think Trump is paranoid about his deep state, try telling the Chinese we're not out to get them. They see and believe otherwise every day.