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    A mall in Mendrisio (TI) seems particularly well-visited to Chinese tourists than other neighborhoods. Does anyone know why?
    Switzerland

    A mall in Mendrisio (TI) seems particularly well-visited to Chinese tourists than other neighborhoods. Does anyone know why?


    I recently moved to Lugano and am just randomly visiting any neighborhoods in Ticino. Today I tried a mall in Mendrisio (FoxTown), and I discovered that there is a non-trivial portion of Chinese tourists in the crowd. The information stands were written in English (which itself is quite telling) and I think some of them were even targeted toward Chinese speakers. It was unexpected to see such because Mendrisio is a small town. It was even easier to see Chinese there than in Lugano, which is admittedly a far larger city.

    I have some guesses. My first guess is actually the same reason that was mentioned in a YouTube clip for another city ("The mystery tourists of Kidlington" by Half as interesting, https://youtu.be/DdK94CpYgm8?si=ZxTuUHMaHxQ6OVCj). Maybe those tourists were the ones who’re supposed to be at a larger tourist destination, like Como?

    Another guess is that because the mall has a casino. I’m not sure how much a casino actually attract people, but if there is something special in that mall, maybe the casino is the one.

    So, does anybody know the real reason? It’s just my curiosity bit.

    A mall in Mendrisio (TI) seems particularly well-visited to Chinese tourists than other neighborhoods. Does anyone know why?
    byu/Financial-Shift4780 inSwitzerland



    Posted by Financial-Shift4780

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    6 Comments

    2. SchoggiToeff on

      FoxTown is not just a mall but an outlet mall. It’s likely the final destination before heading to Milano Malpensa and flying home. The small B-license Casino might help with its attractiveness.

      Edit: After watching the Kidlington video linked by OP.

      Yep, that’s it. What place is better for Chinese tourist tours, then an outlet mall with cheap European designer clothing AND a casino, close to an international Airport? Specially if, as someone mentioned, the tour operators get a kick back.

    4. iRobi8 on

      Foxtown is quite special. They have factory and outlet stores which are very seldom in switzerland. When i‘m in ticino i often go to foxtown to shop. Exceptional prices for example for nike stuff.

    5. otterform on

      Yeah, I used to come to foxtown even from Milan, back when the exchange rate favored euros to CHF more than now.

    6. Haunting_Process9905 on

      Foxtown is a fashion outlet, the same is in the fashion outlet in Landquart, there are many chinese and arabs