The Characteristics of Chinese Tourists in Indonesia and Its Performance in 2013−2017

Abstract

This research aimed to identify the characteristics and performance of Chinese tourists in Indonesia. To understand the characteristics of Chinese tourists, data were obtained from Passenger Exit Survey (PES) in 2016. Meanwhile, to know the performance of Chinese tourists, data were derived from monthly reports of Inbound Tourist Arrival from 2013-2017. Data and information were mostly obtained through literature studies and unstructured interviews with stakeholders and researchers at the Ministry of Tourism. This research finds several characteristics of Chinese tourists in Indonesia. Most of them are between 25-44 age group and work as professionals, managers, and employees. They like to come in groups with around seven days of stay. Moreover, they choose star hotels as the primary choice for accommodation. On average, they spend USD1.018 during their visit to Indonesia. Most of them get information about Indonesian tourism and destinations from friends/family and social media. However, the number of Chinese tourist to Indonesia has doubled in the last four years. The high penetration of the Chinese tourists takes place in Bali while the massive growth occurs in Manado.

Analysis of Tourists’ Length of Stay in Pokhara, Nepal

“…The Chinese stay longer than the Indians and other tourists. This finding concurs with Rosyidi (2018), who found that Chinese tourists stay longer in Indonesia than tourists from other Asian countries. The findings of this study are also consistent with those that report a significant nationality effect (e.g., Gokovali et al, 2007;Thrane, 2012)…”

“…Expenditure (below $48 and $48 and above) measured the daily expenses of tourists. The average expenditure of tourists in Nepal in 2017 and 2018 was $48 (Nepal Tourism Statistics, 2017, 2018. Thus, two expenditure levels were created based on the national average expenditure of tourists in Nepal.…”

Affinity tourism and exotic tourism in Bali. The Chinese and Indian tourist gaze in the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Park

“…Bali accounts for around 60% of all Chinese visits to Indonesia, making it the absolute favourite destination (Rosyidi, 2018). Only one other destination in the Indonesian archipelago can compete with Bali: Manado in Sulawesi.…”

“…A study on tourism behaviour in Thailand argued that historical and religious sites and cultural festivals and events, are the second and third most important motivationafter natural beauty and beachesto visit tourist sites in Thailand (Amonhaemanon & Amornhaymanon, 2015). Other recent surveys underline the cultural and religious interests and preferences of Chinese tourists for Bali (Rosyidi, 2018;Suryawardani & Wiranatha, 2014).…”

“…Indian tourists have also fallen victim to massive stereotyping on social media in Bali after an Indian family had been caught stealing hotel items (Coconuts Bali, 29 July, 2019;Shamani, 2019). It is vital to go beyond these oversimplified and generalising opinions on the new Asian tourism influx, especially since no real in-depth qualitative study on the Chinese and Indian tourist gaze, encounters, preferences or interactions in Bali has been carried out (Ginaya, Made, & Wayan, 2019;Pratama, Mananda, & Sudiarta, 2016;Rosyidi, 2018). Moving away from westernised interpretations of the 'tourist gaze', as famously coined by John Urry in 1990 as a set of expectations that tourists project on heritage sites in search for authentic cultural experiences, we want to shift our focus to the 'Asian affinity gaze' that we define as: a tourist experience wherein tourists are attracted to affinity in culture and share these experiences with their hosts.…”