US travel agencies focus on China market

Although not every one in China can afford a luxury US holiday, most have a dream of going there, Vericella said.

Yang Meili, assistant director of the Ivy education center of Shanghai Airlines Holiday Tours International Co Ltd, said every year her company organizes up to 4,000 Chinese students to go to the US for less than 20 days.

"Chinese parents want their children to experience the culture and education opportunities of the US," Yang said. The number is climbing every year, she added.

While culture and education undoubtedly attract Chinese, shopping is also luring Chinese tourists who rank top on the spending charts, according to US data.

As increasing numbers of US luxury stores cater to Chinese visitors and hire more Chinese-speaking employees, many Chinese plan their shopping tours like 32-year-old Sui Xin, a Shenyang resident.

"The list is never too long for my shopping trip in November," Sui said, taking out her three-page list, with her budget for shopping reaching 50,000 yuan ($ 8,064).

She planed to travel to Los Angeles and Hawaii for two weeks.

While the US is catering to Chinese visitors, Lee also suggested Chinese tourists should change their habits to fit in better.

"I know it is part of Chinese culture, but in the US speaking loud in public and getting too close to other people is kind of rude," Lee said.

The government is addressing the issue with a new tourism law taking effect in October. It aims to promote cultural knowledge of various foreign destinations to help tourists have a more enjoyable holiday.