Chinese tourists affected by U.S. federal government shutdown
Updated: 2013-10-03 10:49
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||||
On the first day of U.S. federal government shutdown, a Californian resident may not feel the impact, but many Chinese tourists are sad and their tour guides are nervous.
Tony Lu has run a travel agency in Los Angeles for 20 years. Four tourist groups from China's mainland organized by his agency are currently travelling around the United States. They are suffering different kinds of impact of the federal government shutdown, which led to the close of 401 national parks, Smithsonian's 19 museums and galleries and the National Zoo.
"Compared to the 1995-1996 shutdown, this time is more serious to us. We run mostly Chinese market business and there are much more Chinese tourists groups now than 17 years ago," he said.
"Our clients are complaining. The tour guides explained to them that even the U.S. President Barack Obama can not solve the problem immediately," he joked.
Some of the tourist groups have to change their routes as they can not enter the Yellowstone National Park, the Lincoln Memorial, either can they have a close look of the Statue of Liberty, all of which are among the most popular tourism sites.
According to the National Park Services, the 401 National Parks totally have about 715,000 visitors per day in average in October. But now, visitors are turned away.
Although there's no figure yet how many Chinese tourists are affected by the shutdown, some of them are expressing their sadness on the Internet and through mass communication tools.
"I want to cry," wrote Ms. He to her WeChat friends. She waited for a long time for sightseeing in the United States and wished for a perfect tour.
But soon after she landed, she learned that the Statue of Liberty, Lincoln Memorial and some other tourist attractions on her visiting list are closed. The federal government shutdown ruined her trip.
"Nobody will give any compensation to these Chinese tourists. The Senate and the Congress will definately not." said Lu, "And we have to do more to make them feel better, such as explaining the situation to them and helping some of them modify their travel plans. Hope the federal government shutdown ends soon."
Nearly 1.5 million Chinese travelled to the United States in 2012, according to the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Besides, some Chinese companies doing business in the U.S. may also be affected if the federal regulatory agencies and other servicies can not resume work soon.
Related Stories
Business tour is the next big thing: officials 2013-09-17 13:25
Travel Special: Tour offers visitors rare inside look at famed Shaolin Temple 2013-09-08 07:35
Tourists get a slice of life from Shanghai locals 2013-09-22 16:38
Europe attracting a greater number of tourists 2013-09-16 13:52
Tourists change spending pattern 2013-09-14 09:35
Today's Top News
Xi to give speech to Indonesia's parliament
UNSC urges boost to Syria aid access
Obama to hold talks for shutdown
Russian embassy in Tripoli attacked
Iran has proposal for nuclear deal
Xi opens up on hopes for football World Cup glory
President Xi meets Indonesian counterpart on ties
US, ROK, Japan conduct joint military drills
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Xi visits Indonesia, Malaysia, attends APEC Summit |
National Day holidays around the world |
Foul air rises over landfill expansion |
Flowing colors of 798 art district |
Investing a nation's wealth wisely |
Nuclear plants see growth |