I know language barriers can be an issue so I don't begrudge them their tour groups but its the shear size of the groups and how they can behave in them thats problematic. We ran into several issues during our recent trip to Australia
We were at the Blue Mountains enjoying a view of the 3 sisters when a low roar came up behind us. We, and the maybe 15 other people there, turned and saw a tidal wave of humanity descending down on us as two massive tour buses disgorged their cargo. A single tour guide was talking loudly into a loudspeaker so that the entire group could hear her - which was impressive given how loudly everyone in the group was talking to eachother.
Everyone else quickly left the area as their tour group size was completely disproportionate to the size of the viewing area and as people in the group basically elbowed aside the few who tried to remain at the site a few seconds longer
We also had the misfortune of sharing a plane with a large group that had probably close to half the seats on our 100 seat ERJ-190 flight. During boarding they kept trying to mob the gate agent and paid no attention to boarding groups. Once seated I came to the realization that probably 1/3 of them area going to die from lung related issues due to the sear volume of throat clearing and hawking of phlegm that was going on. Many also seemed to take no notice that people were already in their seats as they pushed and pulled on as many seats as they could at any opportunity.
When landing we had to stop quite a distance from the terminal while taxiing and, despite the preemptive announcement by the flight attendant, much of the group got up and started standing in the aisles and getting bags out. The initial admonishing by the flight attendants went unheeded until the head flight attendant got over the intercom and said "NO NO NO - You have to sit down!" I've been on more than a few flights and have never heard a flight attendant have to do anything like that
When deplaning both my wife and I had to push our way into their group to get off the plane as the people in the back kept trying to push past everyone to get off the plane as soon as possible.
Once off the plane their tour group stopped immediately outside the gate forming a barrier that to anyone else trying to get off the plane.
While waiting for our luggage several people pushed in front of us to stand waiting for their bags. So I pushed them aside so I could reach my bag
There were also plenty of other cases at various locations where a tour group would fill up the entire sidewalk (up to 7 people wide) with no regard for people trying to move in the opposite direction of their group. I have no qualms about cutting my own way through but I vastly prefer to share the sidewalk
Its unfortunate on many levels but if we see a large chinese tour group we try and avoid them and that area if at all possible.
We were at the Blue Mountains enjoying a view of the 3 sisters when a low roar came up behind us. We, and the maybe 15 other people there, turned and saw a tidal wave of humanity descending down on us as two massive tour buses disgorged their cargo. A single tour guide was talking loudly into a loudspeaker so that the entire group could hear her - which was impressive given how loudly everyone in the group was talking to eachother.
Everyone else quickly left the area as their tour group size was completely disproportionate to the size of the viewing area and as people in the group basically elbowed aside the few who tried to remain at the site a few seconds longer
We also had the misfortune of sharing a plane with a large group that had probably close to half the seats on our 100 seat ERJ-190 flight. During boarding they kept trying to mob the gate agent and paid no attention to boarding groups. Once seated I came to the realization that probably 1/3 of them area going to die from lung related issues due to the sear volume of throat clearing and hawking of phlegm that was going on. Many also seemed to take no notice that people were already in their seats as they pushed and pulled on as many seats as they could at any opportunity.
When landing we had to stop quite a distance from the terminal while taxiing and, despite the preemptive announcement by the flight attendant, much of the group got up and started standing in the aisles and getting bags out. The initial admonishing by the flight attendants went unheeded until the head flight attendant got over the intercom and said "NO NO NO - You have to sit down!" I've been on more than a few flights and have never heard a flight attendant have to do anything like that
When deplaning both my wife and I had to push our way into their group to get off the plane as the people in the back kept trying to push past everyone to get off the plane as soon as possible.
Once off the plane their tour group stopped immediately outside the gate forming a barrier that to anyone else trying to get off the plane.
While waiting for our luggage several people pushed in front of us to stand waiting for their bags. So I pushed them aside so I could reach my bag
There were also plenty of other cases at various locations where a tour group would fill up the entire sidewalk (up to 7 people wide) with no regard for people trying to move in the opposite direction of their group. I have no qualms about cutting my own way through but I vastly prefer to share the sidewalk
Its unfortunate on many levels but if we see a large chinese tour group we try and avoid them and that area if at all possible.