Want more Chinese tourists but don’t have a China presence? Use these 5 practical tips to win travel bookings and build brand awareness remotely.
Leverage Chinese Social Media Platforms
hinese travelers rely heavily on platforms like WeChat, Weibo, Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), and Douyin for travel inspiration, shopping, and food choices. Even if you don’t operate in China, you can still build awareness by:
- Translating content into Simplified Chinese
- Creating a business profile on these platforms
- Asking past Chinese customers for reviews in Chinese
For restaurants and hotels, localizing menus and welcome materials into Chinese creates immediate comfort and trust.
📊 In 2025, 50% of global consumers still prioritize content in their native language over price.
(Source: Harvard Business Review)
2. Localize payment channels
Cashless payment is second nature to Chinese consumers. Platforms like WeChat Pay and Alipay are used for nearly all purchases—from taxis to snacks. Tourists expect the same convenience abroad.
👉 Accepting WeChat Pay or Alipay in-store and online dramatically increases conversion.
👉 It eliminates the friction of currency exchange or manual credit card entry.
📌 Over 90% of Chinese tourists prefer mobile payments when traveling.
3. Use QR Codes for Offline-to-Online Engagement
QR codes are essential in China—they’re used for menus, promotions, app downloads, and even tipping. You can use them to:
- Direct tourists to a Chinese landing page
- Offer WeChat coupons or vouchers
- Guide visitors to leave a review or follow your account
💡 Place QR codes at entrances, menus, and checkout counters with short Chinese text like “扫码获取菜单” (Scan for menu).
4. Localize Customer Experience Touchpoints
Don’t stop at language—localize the full experience:
- Add bilingual signage at key customer touchpoints
- Translate feedback forms and hotel check-in slips
- Train staff to greet in Mandarin (“你好!”) or use digital tools like Baidu Translate
These small changes can reduce friction and boost customer satisfaction.
5. Build a Chinese-Friendly Brand Online
Even without a Chinese branch, you can build trust by localizing your digital footprint:
- Translate your website or create a dedicated landing page in Simplified Chinese
- Highlight Alipay/WeChat compatibility, Chinese reviews, and custom offers
- Optimize for Baidu SEO (China’s top search engine): use simplified characters, fast-loading Chinese-hosted images, and culturally relevant keywords
✅ Bonus: Include a WeChat QR code on your website or Instagram bio to build an audience you can re-target later.
Maximize your potential with the Chinese travel market and contact us for personalized strategies!
