10 ways for a Hotel to attract Chinese tourists

China is the number one source of outbound tourists in the world. In 2024, Chinese travelers spent an estimated $196 billion abroad, more than any other nationality, according to the UNWTO Tourism Barometer. Hotels that want a share of that spending need to understand what these guests actually want, not what you assume they want.

Here are 10 things hotels must do to attract Chinese tourists in 2025. I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t across dozens of properties in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

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10 actionable strategies for hotels to attract Chinese tourists

1. Accept Chinese mobile payments

Integrate Alipay and WeChat Pay at every touchpoint: front desk, restaurant, spa, gift shop. Chinese tourists pay with their phones. They expect it everywhere. A property that doesn’t accept these payments will get negative comments on Chinese review platforms the same day. Over 85% of Chinese outbound travelers use mobile payments as their primary method abroad.

2. Offer a Chinese breakfast

Serve congee, soy milk, steamed buns, and jasmine tea. This costs very little to set up and it shows guests you thought about them specifically. Hotels that highlight this in their Ctrip listings get better ratings. It sounds small, it is not.

3. Get active on Douyin and Xiaohongshu

Short videos of your rooftop bar, your best room view, your most photogenic corner. Chinese tourists choose hotels based on what they’ve seen on Douyin and Xiaohongshu before booking. Partnering with Chinese KOLs for a review or a livestream costs far less than traditional advertising and converts much better.

4. Have Mandarin-speaking staff and services

Train front desk staff in basic Mandarin phrases. Provide translated menus, maps, and guest information. Set up a WeChat hotline for instant support during the stay. Chinese guests who cannot communicate with hotel staff leave negative reviews regardless of room quality.

5. List on Chinese OTAs

Be on Ctrip (Trip.com), Fliggy, and Qunar. These platforms dominate how Chinese travelers book hotels. Optimize your profile with Chinese-language descriptions. Highlight amenities Chinese guests care about: electric kettles in rooms, slippers, Chinese TV channels. Properties listed on Ctrip with complete Chinese profiles see 40 to 60% more Chinese bookings than those with partial information.

6. Create experiences for high-spending guests

Private shopping assistants, chauffeur services to luxury boutiques, exclusive access to cultural events. Chinese high-net-worth travelers are not looking for discounts. They want access and status. A package that includes priority entry to a sold-out event is worth more to them than a 20% room discount.

7. Make your property photogenic

Design one or two areas specifically for social media content: a floral wall, a view terrace with good light, a distinctive room element. Share location tags on Xiaohongshu. Chinese tourists often choose a hotel because of one photo they saved on RED. This is not vanity, it’s a booking driver.

8. Be clear about health and safety

Post hygiene certifications in Mandarin at entrances and elevators. This matters more to Chinese guests than to most Western travelers and it costs nothing to add. It builds immediate trust.

9. Run campaigns around Chinese holidays

Chinese New Year in January or February, Golden Week in October, Labor Day in May. These are the three main travel peaks. Launch targeted promotions in advance. Red envelope offers, themed dinners, dumpling-making classes. Hotels that plan nothing for these periods leave real money on the table.

10. Build your reputation on Chinese review platforms

Encourage guests to leave reviews on Dianping and Mafengwo. These platforms drive a significant portion of Chinese hotel bookings. Respond to reviews in Mandarin. Properties with 50+ positive Chinese reviews convert dramatically better than those with none.

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Why hotels need to focus on Chinese tourists now

China is one of the largest outbound tourism markets in the world. In 2019, more than 150 million Chinese traveled abroad. After the pandemic pause, those numbers are recovering fast. Forecasts put outbound Chinese travelers at 200 million per year by 2026.

Chinese tourists are also the biggest spenders in international tourism, with an average daily spend well above European and American travelers. Hotels that attract them well will see a direct impact on revenue per available room.

1. Build a digital presence in China first

The first step is visibility on Chinese platforms. Chinese users don’t trust official brand websites. They trust what other users say on social networks. Your Ctrip profile, your Dianping reviews, your Xiaohongshu content: these are what a Chinese traveler will read before deciding whether to book you.

2. A Chinese website still matters in 2025

A Mandarin-language website or Chinese version of your site is not optional if you want to reach Chinese travelers directly. Most don’t read English well enough to book through an English site. A website that loads fast in China (behind the Great Firewall) and reads naturally in Mandarin is a real competitive advantage.

3. Social media is the most powerful tool for attracting Chinese tourists

Chinese tourists spend a significant part of their daily lives on WeChat, Weibo, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu. Content, reviews, and comments found on these platforms are decisive for their booking choices. Hotels that don’t adapt to Chinese social media are invisible to the segment that matters most.

4. PR in China works

Chinese travel press, blogs, and media placements reach millions of readers planning trips. Rich visuals, real testimonials from Chinese guests, stories about the destination. This is not expensive and the return is measurable.

5. Understand Chinese culture

Small details make a real difference. Don’t put Chinese guests in rooms or floors with the number 4 (associated with death in Chinese culture). Offer rooms or upgrades with the number 8 where possible (considered lucky). These things matter and guests notice when you get them right or wrong.

What CTA does for hotels

Chinese Tourists Agency works with hotels and hospitality groups to set up and manage their full Chinese digital presence. Douyin campaigns, RED content, WeChat Official Accounts, Ctrip profile management, KOL partnerships.

• Douyin: video content that shows your property through Chinese eyes
• RED: long-form travel guides, photo campaigns, KOC reviews
• WeChat: CRM, booking integration, direct messaging with guests

All services: chinesetouristagency.com/our-services/

Summary table

Action	Impact	Difficulty
Accept Alipay and WeChat Pay	High: removes a booking barrier	Low
Chinese breakfast	Medium: strong on reviews	Low
Ctrip and Fliggy listing	High: direct booking volume	Medium
Douyin and RED content	High: long-term visibility	Medium
Mandarin staff or service	High: guest experience	Medium
Chinese review management	High: trust and conversion	Low

Expert tips

1. Start with a Mandarin website. You need to be visible in China.
2. Build your visibility. Rank for the right keywords on Baidu and Ctrip.
3. Work on your Chinese e-reputation. Serious clients need to trust you first.
4. Be on Chinese social platforms. Target the right audience segment.

Also read

• 10 tips to attract Chinese tourists in 2025
• How to collaborate with Chinese travel agencies

Want to attract more Chinese tourists to your hotel?
We are Experts in Chinese hospitality marketing.

Contact us now for a free consultation or a campaign targeting Chinese travelers.

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Pedro Wang is the founder of Chinese Tourists Agency, based in Shanghai. He has worked with hotels across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East on Chinese tourism strategy since 2012. Reach out directly.