2016年CRI Younger Chinese Tourists to South Korea Pursue Local Brands over Global Luxury Ones

 

Statistics show that Chinese tourists visiting South Korea are getting younger.

The share of those in their 20s and 30s rose to 46 percent last year, from 41 percent in 2013, according to the government-run Korea Culture and Tourism Institute.

While older Chinese tourists typically travel in groups where they are ferried between shops catering¹ to them, Chinese millennials tend to be better-informed about what they want, travel independently and spend less on shopping.

20-year-old Chinese tourist Liu Yuting is one of them.

"I use my mobile phone to research what products to buy in South Korea, it is very convenient. Many Chinese girls like South Korean products, because most of them are cheap and cute."

This new trend is reflected in data which shows that Korean cosmetics² like LG Household & Healthcare's Whoo and Amorepacific's Sulwhasoo were the top-selling brands in 2015, overtaking Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Cartier.

Average prices on best-selling items from global luxury brands in South Korea are cheaper than they are in mainland China, but still cost more than in Europe.

This has also driven more Chinese tourists in Korea, like 21-year-old Zhu Xin, to local bands.

"You can buy those big brands everywhere, and it is actually cheaper to buy those brands in other countries compared to the prices in South Korea. I think now that we are here, we should buy local brands. Many local brands are of great quality."

In analyzing³ the latest trend, KB Investment & Securities analyst⁴ Yang Ji-hye believes Chinese consumers have become more rational.

"Young people are taking the lead in Chinese tourists' spending. Whereas past generations blindly purchased luxury goods, the younger generations have a reasonable consumption pattern. They have increased their preference for Korean cosmetics and fashion brands which have a fresh and refined image."

The number of Chinese tourists to South Korea dipped 2.3 percent in 2015 to about 6 million due to the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome⁵ outbreak.

However, brokerage CLSA says Chinese inbound traffic growth rebounded⁶ from September and should jump by 28 percent in 2016. The South Korean government expects a record 8 million Chinese visitors this year.

For CRI, this is Liu Xiangwei. 

(Source: APTN)

1 catering   

n. 给养

参考例句：

• Most of our work now involves catering for weddings. 我们现在的工作多半是承办婚宴。
• Who did the catering for your son's wedding? 你儿子的婚宴是由谁承办的？

2 cosmetics   

n.化妆品

参考例句：

• We sell a wide range of cosmetics at a very reasonable price. 我们以公道的价格出售各种化妆品。
• Cosmetics do not always cover up the deficiencies of nature. 化妆品未能掩饰天生的缺陷。

3 analyzing   

v.分析；分析( analyze的现在分词 )；分解；解释；对…进行心理分析n.分析

参考例句：

• Analyzing the date of some socialist countries presents even greater problem s. 分析某些社会主义国家的统计数据，暴露出的问题甚至更大。 来自辞典例句
• He undoubtedly was not far off the mark in analyzing its predictions. 当然，他对其预测所作的分析倒也八九不离十。 来自辞典例句

4 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

5 syndrome   

n.综合病症；并存特性

参考例句：

• The Institute says that an unidentified virus is to blame for the syndrome. 该研究所表示,引起这种综合症的是一种尚未确认的病毒。
• Results indicated that 11 fetuses had Down syndrome. 结果表明有11个胎儿患有唐氏综合征。

6 rebounded   

弹回( rebound的过去式和过去分词 )； 反弹； 产生反作用； 未能奏效

参考例句：

• The ball rebounded from the goalpost and Owen headed it in. 球从门柱弹回，欧文头球将球攻进。
• The ball rebounded from his racket into the net. 球从他的球拍上弹回网中。