Company in controversy after taking 6,400 workers to France

 

Employees of Chinese company Tiens Group attend a parade on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, southeastern France, May 8, 2015, organized by their CEO Li Jinyuan, as part of a four-day celebration to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his company. [Photo/IC]

However, more people have seen the other side of the package holiday, believing it would be troublesome for other tourists and local residents.

"I feel sorry for other tourists whose holidays were ruined by the large crowds," a Sina Weibo user said.

Another user expressed concern that such a large group in France would further tarnish China's image. "I'm afraid that they don't understand and respect foreign cultures. We've suffered enough from this problem," the user wrote.

In an interview with Global Times on Sunday, Li Jinyuan said the tour has achieved "100 percent success". Li said his workers have maintained good order and disposed of their trash during the trip.

It is not the first time that a large corporate tour group of Chinese employees has traveled overseas.

Last year, Nu Skin, a health products company based in the United States, arranged for 10,000 salespeople from China to visit the United Arab Emirates.

According to an expert, the large groups from China show that Chinese meeting and incentive travel is moving from domestic to overseas destinations.

Companies usually choose well known or luxury destinations for their employees' shopping and sightseeing, she said.

Chinese were the biggest buyers of luxury goods worldwide last year, accounting for 46 percent of sales, valued at $106 billion.

Seventy-six percent of the Chinese purchases were made outside China, according to a report by luxury industry researcher China Fortune Character.