Indonesia: How to attract Chinese Travellers to your Business
In 2024, Indonesia’s government want to lure 1 to 1.5 million Chinese tourists. HUGE !
Presently, there are 13 airlines facilitating direct flights between China and Indonesia. The Indonesian government is committed to collaborating with prominent players in the Chinese tourism industry to bolster tourist numbers and enhance air travel connections. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy in Indonesia has established a goal of attracting one to 1.5 million Chinese tourists by 2024, as stated by an official from the ministry
Indonesia’s Ambitious Target: Attracting 1.5 Million Chinese Tourists in 2024
10 Key Points about Chinese Tourists in Indonesia:
- Chinese tourists have become a significant demographic in Indonesia’s tourism industry, contributing significantly to the country’s overall tourist arrivals.
- The Indonesian government has set an ambitious target of attracting between 1 to 1.5 million Chinese tourists in 2024, reflecting the importance of the Chinese market.
- To facilitate this goal, Indonesia has seen an increase in the number of airlines offering direct flights between China and Indonesian cities, making travel more convenient for Chinese tourists.
- Collaborations between the Indonesian government and key players in the Chinese tourism industry aim to boost tourism numbers further and enhance the overall experience for Chinese visitors.
- The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy in Indonesia is overseeing these efforts and has set a clear target for Chinese tourist arrivals.
- Indonesia’s appeal to Chinese tourists lies in its diverse cultural experiences, stunning natural landscapes, and beautiful beaches.
- Popular destinations for Chinese tourists in Indonesia include Bali, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and various other islands known for their scenic beauty and cultural richness.
- Chinese tourists often engage in activities like exploring ancient temples, enjoying water sports, and experiencing traditional Indonesian cuisine during their visits.
- The Chinese market is highly sought after due to its significant contribution to the Indonesian economy through tourism spending on accommodations, food, and other services.
- Indonesia’s focus on attracting Chinese tourists reflects a broader trend of Asian countries tapping into the growing middle-class population in China, which has an increasing appetite for international travel and exploration.
cooperation between Indonesia and China
Earlier, Indonesian Tourism Minister, Arief Yahya, said China is currently the biggest source of tourist arrivals in Indonesia; leaving behind Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, and Korea.
“We have set ourselves the target of attracting 20 million tourists in 2019 and nearly 50% of them will come from China,” he disclosed.
Attracting Chinese tourists: Best Tips of the web, done by expert
attracting Chinese tourists for your business requires a strategic approach. Here are 10 tips to consider:
- Leverage Little Red Book (Xiaohongshu): Create engaging content on Little Red Book, a popular social commerce platform, by posting high-quality images, reviews, and recommendations about your business. Encourage user-generated content from Chinese visitors.
- Engage on Douyin (TikTok): Utilize short-form video content on Douyin to showcase your products or services. Create entertaining and informative videos that resonate with the platform’s young audience.
- Leverage WeChat: Establish a WeChat Official Account to provide information, updates, and customer service to Chinese tourists. Incorporate features like WeChat Pay to simplify transactions.
- Optimize for Baidu SEO: Invest in Baidu SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to improve your visibility on China’s most popular search engine. Localize your content and ensure it aligns with Chinese search habits and keywords.
- Develop a Chinese-Friendly Website: Create a user-friendly and mobile-responsive website with simplified Chinese language options and a fast loading time. Ensure that essential information is easy to find.
- Craft Compelling Storytelling: Share your brand’s story and values through content marketing. Highlight unique aspects of your business that resonate with Chinese tourists, such as cultural experiences or eco-friendly practices.
- Utilize Photo Communication: Visual content is vital. Share high-quality photos and videos on platforms like Instagram, which is accessible to Chinese tourists through VPNs, to showcase your offerings.
- Highlight Shopping Opportunities: Chinese tourists often love shopping for souvenirs and luxury goods. Promote any shopping experiences your business offers, including duty-free options, discounts, or unique local products.
- Engage on Travel Forums (e.g., Mafengwo): Participate in travel forums like Mafengwo and offer valuable advice, tips, and insights related to your business. Respond to inquiries and build a positive online reputation.
- Collaborate with Travel Agencies: Partner with Chinese travel agencies or tour operators to include your business in their itineraries. Provide incentives for group bookings and special packages for tourists.
It is important to step up tourism cooperation with China to achieve the desired target
In this regard, he accentuated how important it is to step up tourism cooperation with China to achieve the desired target. Moreover, he promised that his ministry will also be focusing on promoting the “Great China” branding. This covers a trio of Asian countries China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Yahya also invited Chinese investors to try their luck with the Indonesian tourism industry.
The Tourism Ministry’s deputy minister for overseas promotion, I Gde Pitana, attributed to the rising trend of the holiday season in August in China and the government’s efforts to attract more visitors’ discussion. He said the ministry would remain focused on its tourism promotion program in China until the end of the year to introduce the archipelago in several major cities, such as Beijing and Shenzhen.
“Boosting Tourism Connectivity: Indonesia’s Goal of 1.5 Million Chinese Tourists
The government aims to attract at least 1.5 million Chinese tourists this year; 1.3 million more than the last year. It has scrapped the visa fees for Chinese travelers, making China one of 169 countries the nationals of which enjoy free entry to Indonesia.
“That way, Chinese companies won’t send their employees to Thailand [for the holidays]. They can just go to those destinations instead,” Pitana said. He also mentioned that several airlines were also on board to achieve the 1.7 million tourist target to help this tourism plan further.
Increasing flights
The country’s largest low-cost carrier, Lion Air, is serving direct flights from six Chinese cities. The airline hopes to fly at least 30,000 Chinese tourists to Manado by the end of the year. Whereas, Garuda Indonesia has flown holidaymakers from three major Chinese cities to Jakarta. These Chinese cities are namely Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
Hotels have started facilitating the tourists in just the right way
Moreover, the hotels have started facilitating the tourists in just the right way. Jayakarta Hotels and Resorts president director Edwin Dhanu said the chain had prepared several services to accommodate the increasing number of tourists.
China-Indonesia Tourism Partnership: Aiming for 1.5 Million Chinese Visitors by 2024
Jayakarta also employed Mandarin-speaking staff in the guest reservation divisions in Jakarta and Bali who tend to most of the Chinese guests.
The both countries are doing everything to keep growing and keep their tourism industry booming with each other’s help.