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Swiss Hospitalityor Chinese Guests

3

Published by

hotelleriesuisse, Bern, andSwitzerland Tourism, Zurich

Published

First edition 2004; new edition 2012

Layout

elbow-typo ranziska liechti, Wabern

Translation

Gary Willis, Winkel

Printed by

Läderach Ltd., Bern

Photographs

National Tourism Administration o thePeople’s Republic o China, MCH SwissExhibition Ltd., Switzerland Tourism,hotelleriesuisse, iStockphoto.com

Languages

German, French, EnglishBern, August 2012

Imprint

Preace 4General inormation about the People’s Republic o China 6Characteristics o Chinese culture 8A language with no shortage o characters 11Business ethics 13On tour with the Chinese 16Swiss hospitality or Chinese guests 20Leisure activities 22Chinese eating and drinking habits 24Contacts 26

Table o contents

45For you as a hotelier, hospitality or guests romboth near and ar goes without saying. Whenguests come rom places which have a dierentculture, then knowledge o the respective cul-ture helps you to avoid misunderstandings andmake the guests’ stay as smooth as possible.

This brochure, “Swiss Hospitality or Chinese

Guests” addresses these matters.Between 2005 and 2011, the number o over-night stays by Chinese persons in Switzerlandincreased by some 247 percent. The next twodecades are also expected to see a continuous

increase in the number o overnight stays bythe Chinese: The Chinese middle class which

enjoys travelling is growing and state restric-

tions continue to be relaxed, which makes it

easier or Chinese citizens to obtain a passportand export currency. In addition, exible holi-day times should be introduced soon in order toavoid the problem o the whole country going

on holiday at the same time. This is likely to giveurther impetus to oreign tourism. True, the Chi-

nese still mainly travel in big groups, quickly

rom one place to the next. However, this willsoon change with increasing travel experience.

The classic quick trip around Europe will be com-plemented by an extended and deeper look into

a tourist destination. Likewise, a younger, more

open generation has also discovered travel.These travellers show more interest in local

peculiarities and in the culture o the countrybeing toured.

The brochure “Swiss Hospitality or ChineseGuests” (First edition 2004) which has been

completely revised by hotelleriesuisse and Swit-

zerland Tourism together, gives you important

background inormation to China and pre-

pares you optimally or Chinese guests and their

needs. In addition to interesting inormation as

to the culture and mentality o your clients romthe Far East, it contains practical suggestions asto how to give your Chinese guests the best wel-

come possible. We wish you good reading andexciting encounters with guests rom both nearand ar.Jürg SchmidDirector Switzerland TourismDr. Christoph JuenCEO hotelleriesuisse

Preace

When a friend comes from afar, is it not delightful?

(Conucius)