More Chinese tourists visiting Carmel

New numbers from Visa show more Chinese tourists are visiting Carmel. With that, the community is taking the opportunity to cash in.

Danielle Jackson, who works at Anne Thull Fine Art Designs, has noticed the influx of Chinese visitors over the last year.

“There’s large groups,” Jackson said. “There could be 10-15 people at once.”

Now, new data backs up her observations.

According to Visa Vue, which tracks purchases based on zip codes, the number of purchases from Chinese credit cardholders is growing.

“China is the country that’s most representative of our visitors. More than any other country, besides the United States,” Monta Potter said, executive director of the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.

That is followed by Canada and the United Kingdom. Potter said it’s easier for Chinese visitors to travel out of country these days because it has loosened the Visa requirements in China. But why the Golden State? Potter said there’s something Chinese visitors particularly like about California, especially Carmel.

“We searched some websites and found here,” John, a Chinese tourist said. “A beautiful place. And I really like here.”

By all accounts, this trend will continue to climb. According to some of the data provided by Visa, Chinese tourists are spending more money here. It says last year, Chinese visitors spend $2.4 million in Carmel, an 80 percent increase from 2013.

Local shops in the area are quick to let these visitors know, they’re open for business. On Thursday, business leaders in Carmel are meeting to learn more about the Chinese culture, and ways to be helpful and welcoming.