Chinese Tourists Avoid France
The number of Chinese tourists visiting France has dropped by 70 per cent, the French Embassy said in a communiqué. The Embassy issued roughly 2,000 visas a week one year ago, now it is averaging 300 to 400. Chinese state media believes the decrease is "due to difficulties getting visas and rising airfares". The Shanghai Morning Post concludes that "the Sichuan earthquake and fluctuations in the stock market have also forced many people to change their travel plans." France's Ambassador in Beijing, Herve Ladsous, said he is "concerned by the damage to France's image" after polls showed that Chinese have a negative image about France since the Olympic torch relay in Paris was disrupted.
Macau Prices Jump 9 Per Cent
Macau's consumer price index increased 8.95 per cent year on year in
May, the Statistics and Census Service said. Prices for food surged
significantly, with beef up 69 per cent, rice 67 per cent and pork 58
per cent. Health and transportation costs also went up 25 and 29 per
cent compared to the same 2007 period. On the other hand, prices for
communication and education decreased by 6.87 and 5.83 per cent. On
average, the Macau CPI increased by 8.99 per cent in the first five
months of this year.
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