Chinese travelers spent an average of 500 Swiss francs per day when visiting the country, three times as much as German visitors and four times as much as the Dutch.

 

The figure was released by the Swiss National Tourist office Thursday. From January to October this year, some 100,000 Chinese travelers stayed in Swiss hotels, up 21 percent on the previous year.

 

"Chinese visitors are becoming more and more important to the Swiss tourist industry. We hope to attract more Chinese travelers by future promotion activities," said Marcel Perren, director of the Swiss National Tourist Office.

 

Experts said Chinese visitors bought gifts for themselves as well as for their friends and relatives. Clocks, watches, military knives and chocolate are popular among Chinese visitors.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 22, 2006)