Originally posted by Texcoco II:
S'pore likes courteous tourists
Singapore has voted. Its tourist idols are the Japanese, while the least-favoured visitors hail from mainland China.
These two sets of tourists are at the opposite ends of the courtesy spectrum in a survey of perceptions of inbound tourism.
The Japanese come out tops also in Hong Kong, Indonesia and Thailand in the regional tourism survey. In Singapore, 46 per cent of its residents considers visitors from the Land of the Rising Sun the most polite. Europeans come in second, while Americans are third with 12 per cent of the votes.
Interestingly, a minority of 6 per cent finds Americans the most impolite, while 14 per cent feel Indian tourists are worse, and almost half of the 913 respondents are none-too-impressed by the manners of mainland Chinese.
Singaporeans pick shouting, spitting and not queueing up in an orderly fashion, in that order, as the most impolite tourist behaviour, reported market research company Synovate.
However, the respondents admitted Singaporeans could do better as well.
"Singaporeans are aware that good manners work both ways and, despite their gripes, almost three-quarters believe their fellow citizens should be friendlier towards visitors," said Synovate's managing director in Singapore, Ms Miranda Cheung.
Out of the four countries polled, Singaporeans are the most grateful for the tourist trade. Specifically, the vast majority cites additional jobs and an improved economy as the big pluses of tourism, although only 7 per cent works in a job that relates to or benefits from tourism.
The less tangible benefits from increased cultural interaction matter to 73 per cent of the respondents.
According to Synovate, however, "despite the broad support for tourism and an acknowledgement of the rewards it can bring, some Singaporeans see its downside".
Almost a quarter believe that tourism has diluted local culture and about a fifth find "there is far too much tourism in my country at present".
Another 17 per cent believe tourism places too much strain on local infrastructure while a smaller group "dislikes the large numbers of foreigners who spend their vacation exploring (Singapore)", said Synovate in a press release yesterday.
Overall, though, Singaporeans are keen to impress tourists, said Ms Cheung.
"The level of tourism that Singapore receives can have its drawbacks but with 73 per cent of residents believing that more should be done to encourage tourism, it's clear that the majority of Singaporeans welcome visitors, and their wallets, with open arms," she said.
YEP! You got that right!
PRC tourists are loud, high-handed nose in the air, demanding, cunning, picky, inconsiderate and raw rude.
And this morning, while standing near my company van, these bunch of China ladies walked by and asked if my Taxi was for hire? I gave them the "WTF" look, and told her this is NOT a Taxi!
Are there vans used as Taxis anywhere in the world? May be there are, but at least they'd have Taxi spray painted on the sides!
Friggin ignorant PRCs!