The burgeoning number of Chinese tourists in Switzerland in recent years has pushed the local authority to launch special trains for Asian travelers in Mt Rigi, an important recreational spot in the country, Swiss newspaper the Blick reported recently.
However, according to the authority of the Mt Rigi Railway Station in interview with the Global Times, a Beijing based newspaper, the increase in the number of special trains has nothing to do with discrimination against Asian people, particularly Chinese people.
According to the Blick, some visitors complained that they used to step on the spit from Chinese visitors. To tackle the dispute and ease the pressure from the number of Chinese visitors, the railway station launched a trial operation last month of the special trains to carry Asian visitors only. The special train service will in full operation in September.
Despite the special service, the Mt. Rigi railway station authority reiterated that they welcome Chinese visitors and the report by the Blick is somewhat exaggerated. According to the authority of the railway station, 15 to 20 special trains will be designated for Asian people every week when the line enters operation. Nevertheless, Asian visitors can still choose to take ordinary trains.
The authority stressed that Chinese visitors have boosted the economy around Mt. Rigi. It also pointed out that increasing number of Chinese travelers may make the local people feel uneasy to some extent, which is why the topic makes the headlines in the media.
In tackling with the growing number of Chinese visitors, the Swiss authorities will improve the cleaning of the washing rooms and designate certain spots, including a huge stone sent from China's Mt. Emei in July this year, for Chinese tourists to take photos.
According to the Global Times, many netizens criticized the Blick, following the report. One netizen said the increasing visits paid by Chinese people offer a good opportunity for the Swiss tourist authority to deal with the sagging economy.
According to a reporter from the Global Times, many Chinese visitors en route to Mt. Rigi took rubbish bags and the scenic spot is not as crowded as the Blick reported. However, the chatting of the Chinese people who are accustomed to travel in groups is a little bit louder than the other tourists.
