Beijing's crackdown on official extravagance begins to affect US travel agencies
Staff Reporter 2013-06-02 11:09
A Chinese delegation visits the Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works in Hong Kong. (File photo/CNS)
The recent crackdown on corruption and official extravagance in China following Xi Jinping taking over as party chief last November, has had a knock on effect as far as travel agencies in the United States, reports the Chinese-language news website, YNET.com
"From 2008, groups of Chinese officials have always been our main source of income as we were often hired to arrange their transportation, hotels and organize their itineraries," said a Los Angeles travel agent surnamed Ku.
Ku said that the groups of Chinese officials required the best hotels and the most expensive cars and luxury items, but since 2012, the amount of the groups coming to visit and use their services have steadily declined and has negatively impacted his business.
A tour guide surnamed Lin (pseudonym), also from LA, said that in the past Chinese officials visiting the city would spend money without any hesitation, adding that "There was one time when I brought a group to a local seafood restaurant and the group of 12 officials spent a total US$2,800, including tips, as if the amount was nothing."
Beijing's crackdown on extravagance has also been accompanied by frugality measures banning government officials from spending public money on lavish wining and dining, affecting hotels and high-end restaurants in China.
