One in 10 Chinese tourists in Japan and South-East Asia plan to buy ivory despite knowing it’s illegal

Following a recent survey on ivory consumption in China, a new report indicates how Chinese travellers may consume ivory while abroad in Japan or South-East Asia.

Chinese nationals are now the largest traveller group in terms of the number of trips taken and of those who took part in the survey, 11 per cent planned to buy ivory on their trips and 24 per cent visited at least one ivory shop – this despite the fact that most of the participants knew buying and bringing back ivory is illegal.

The report Beyond the Ivory Ban – Research on Chinese Travelers While Abroad, produced jointly by GlobeScan and WWF, recommends that future campaigns target couriers, delivery companies and tour guides while using persuasive messaging to target travellers in a bid to reduce ivory consumption.

EIA’s own Wildlife team is currently working with major shipping companies to tackle wildlife crime.

Wildlife Campaigner Ceres Kam said: “We believe that pushing for policy change and better law enforcement is just as important in changing the behaviour of consumers and that the pivotal role played by governments in combating the illegal wildlife trade and addressing demand must be emphasised.

“This is why EIA is working to influence the Wildlife Protection Law in China, as well as the legislation and enforcement in other countries of concern.”

Find out more about the work of our Elephant Campaign.