The Study of Chinese Tourists' Motivations to Canada

Abstract

China has emerged as an important inbound tourist market for Canada, especially after the United States implemented new border crossing regulations between Canada and the United States. Though Canada was granted approved destination status (ADS) just recently by the Chinese government, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Canada has increased significantly in recent years. To better understand why Chinese tourists choose Canada as a tourist destination, the study focused on the motivations of Chinese tourists who visit Canada by applying the concept model of push and pull factors. The results show that Chinese tourists are attracted by the unique attractions, high quality of Canadian life, appealing travel ads, shopping opportunities, and Canadian cosmopolitan city life. The reasons for visiting Canada include prestige, family ties, exploration, and escape/leisure.

中国已经成为加拿大的一个重要入境旅游市场, 特别是在美国对加拿大实施新的过境条例后。虽然中国政府只是最近才给予加拿大旅游目的地国地位，但这些年中国旅客到访加拿大的人数已有大幅增长。为了解中国旅客选择加拿大作为旅游目的地的原因，本研究通过采用推拉因素的概念模型，重点探讨中国旅客到访加拿大的动机。结果显示，中国旅客被加拿大的独特景点，高质量生活，引人注目的旅游广告，购物点和国际大都会的生活特质所吸引。而到访加拿大的主要因素是以声望，家庭关系，探索和休闲为主。

Keywords:

• Chinese tourists
• motivation
• Canada
• push and pull factors

Keywords:

• 中国旅客，动机，加拿大，推拉因素

Notes

1. According to Statistics of Canada, there were 1,216,570 ethnic Chinese residing in Canada in 2006.

2. Some Chinese travelers visiting Canada via the United States may take land routes.

3. Before the ADS agreement was approved by both governments, Chinese visitors had to apply for a temporary residence visa to enter Canada or a single-entry visa for a short visit to Canada when visiting the United States.

4. Dr. Norman Bethune was born in 1890 in Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada. In 1938, he traveled to Yan'an in the Shanbei region of Shaanxi province in China. There he joined the Chinese Communists led by Mao Zedong in their struggle against the Japanese invaders. He performed emergency surgical operations on war casualties. In the midst of the Sino-Japanese War, Bethune cut his finger while operating on a soldier. He contracted septicemia and died on November 12, 1939. Chairman Mao Zedong wrote a tribute titled “In Memory of Norman Bethune,” in which he praised the doctor for his selflessness and dedication to the Chinese people. Dr. Norman Bethune is the most famous Canadian, especially to the older generations in China. Dr. Bethune's house where he was born was restored and opened in 1976 as Bethune Memorial House.