Chinese tourists in Algeria, (the secrets to attract them)

Chinese outbound tourism has been steadily increasing, In 2018 alone approximately 80 million Chinese citizens traveled overseas, and this number is expected reach 100 million by 2021. If Chinese outbound tourism reached these levels it would equal nearly 40% of the entire outbound tourism market for the Asia-Pacific region. Still think it’s not worth it to advertise in exclusively Chinese channels?

Algeria to ease visa procedures to attract more Chinese tourists

Last year, the algerian Minister of Tourism and Handcrafts Hassan Mermouri said his country is seeking to attract more Chinese tourists by easing the visa issuing procedures and signed an agreement between Algeria and China to facilitate visa issuance for Chinese tourists.

This issue is part of the ministry’s strategy to promote Algeria as a destination for tourists in international markets and restore its place as a tourist destination of excellence. Algeria is aiming to diversify its economy to get rid of its full dependence on hydrocarbons, as tourism stands out as a potential sector that could generate big revenues regarding the huge tourism potential of this North African nation, including its 1,250-km Mediterranean coast, breathtaking mountainous regions, and a desert with prehistoric attractions.

Tourism in Algeria: The number of Chinese Tourists to double 

Tips on Tapping into a Growing Market by  Attracting Chinese Tourists

Chinese tourists aren’t looking for travel ideas or booking their flights on traditional platforms. They are also not looking at pictures or advertisements on Western social media platforms. So, how do you attract  Chinese tourists?

Boost your activity on Chinese social media

Social media marketing has become the “Must” marketing strategy for most international companies in the tourism industry. It is less intrusive, more personal, and encourages sharing and word of mouth advertisement. More and more travel companies have begun optimizing their websites and services for accessibility via smartphone, as research has shown a significant proportion of Chinese tourists use their smartphone to book and arrange flights/tours/hotels.

Chinese consumers are very connected, frequently using social media that is well known in China, such as Weibo and WeChat. Approximately 700 million people in China use the Internet, and many of those users are particularly influenced by their immediate social circle and family.

One of the most important aspects of social media marketing is the fact that you can interact with other users. By responding to user comments and posts you can make lasting impressions with potential customers. Engagement with potential Chinese customers on social networks is therefore vital. Having a strong presence on social networks increases the chances of your hotel being shared among social network users.

Be present on search engines

One of the most common sense strategies for reaching out to the Chinese market is advertising through search engines. Baidu, the most powerful force in the Chinese search engine market, with nearly 80% market share, is currently the most popular way for people in China to search for vacation destinations. In order to have an advantage, hotels need to be well- positioned on the first page of results.

Optimizing your website through SEO strategy for Baidu can be incredibly beneficial for increasing your company’s reach into the Chinese market. However, it can be difficult as it will almost certainly require the help of a native Mandarin speaker. Competition on Baidu is also quite high, so ranking higher can be extremely challenging.

Baidu requires a great deal of information, in order to keep in line with Chinese government regulations, making the process quite unfriendly when compared to Google. Although using it can be difficult, it is certainly one of the most effective methods for advertising in China.

Partnership with Chinese travel agencies: Online Travel Agencies

Developing an effective digital marketing strategy could encourage Chinese agencies to partner with you and potentially enhance your reputation. If you’re trying to find out what Chinese tourists are really looking for in their next outing, the best place to conduct some research is on the many Chinese travel forums.

As I mentioned earlier, people in China don’t use the travel sites we all know and love(or hate). The biggest names in the Online Travel Agency(OTA) industry in China for 2015 were CTrip, eLong, and Qunar. There are many others including TuNiu, Mangocity, and LY.com. There is also Meituan, a group buying site, that managed to capture a large market share in the accommodation market. As you can see this market is clearly very competitive.

Localize Content: Have quality content

In order to increase your activity on Weibo and WeChat, Travel agencies need to share content that is clear and of high quality. Stories and animated ads are particularly popular in China. Experience suggests that creating a narrative content is the most effective way to engage a Chinese audience.

When you designed your website you have to keep in mind a specific market, whether consciously or not. If you simply translate your website, you’ll still be targeting the same market just in another language! Chinese Tourists don’t necessarily like the same things that Western tourists do, so make sure your Chinese website advertises things that they actually like! If you want your Chinese content to be more effective, make sure it’s written with a Chinese audience in mind!

Influencer Marketing: Key Opinion Leaders’ influence

Opinion leaders tend to have a huge impact on Chinese tourists, who see them as experts. These kinds of celebrities or bloggers are famous in China. This trend can be used to a hotel’s advantage as a way to spread a positive image. Also known as KOL (Key Opinon Leader) marketing, has become a powerful tool for marketing in China.

Many KOLs command thousands or even millions of followers on Chinese social media platforms. Having them share one of your posts or some pictures at your hotel/tour service can have astounding reach. Chinese customers tend to trust the opinions of these KOLs, so many marketing campaigns that have employed KOLs have been remarkably successful.

It’s easier for the Chinese to shop if they can pay

The Chinese don’t use Western credit cards and don’t want to carry large amounts of cash, so you should offer the most popular Chinese payment options: China Union Pay, Alipay and WeChat Wallet. These online payment platforms are ubiquitous in China and savvy overseas destinations and retailers, including Harrods and Body Shop in London, are reaping the rewards of early adoption.

Read also:

• + 50% more Chinese tourists in Africa (and how to take advantage?)
• How Brands can Appeal to the Affluent Chinese Travelers?
• How to Promote Theme Park among Chinese Travelers?