More Chinese Tourists to my Hotel: 20 Questions for Business Owners
If you are a business owner or a director for a hotel, this article is for you. Most hotel operators who come to us asking about China say the same thing: “We listed on Ctrip, we translated our website, and we are still not seeing Chinese guests.” The problem is usually not the listing. It is everything around it.
Chinese travelers are demanding, well-informed, and they research obsessively before booking. In 2024, Ctrip reported that Chinese tourists spend an average of 22 days planning a trip abroad before making a booking. They check reviews, they look at photos, they ask friends on WeChat. By the time they land on your booking page they already know your hotel better than most of your staff. Are you ready for that?
Three facts that put the market in context:
- China’s outbound tourism market hit 130 million trips in 2024, up 30% from 2023 (China Tourism Academy).
- Over 80% of Chinese travelers rely on peer reviews on Chinese platforms before booking a foreign hotel (Mafengwo 2025 travel survey).
- Hotels that accept WeChat Pay see a 42% higher conversion rate with Chinese travelers compared to those that do not (Nielsen China 2024).
Below are 20 questions every hotel operator should ask. I have updated the answers to reflect what actually works in 2026, not 2019.
20 questions to attract more Chinese tourists to your hotel
- Which top Chinese travel platforms should we be on to maximize bookings and visibility in China?
Answer: Start with Ctrip and Mafengwo. Ctrip dominates hotel bookings, and Mafengwo is where Chinese travelers write detailed reviews and plan itineraries. Your listings need to be in Mandarin with strong photos and updated pricing. Fliggy (Alibaba’s travel platform) is growing fast and worth a presence if you have the resources. - Are our booking and customer service processes easy for Chinese guests, from inquiry to check-out?
Answer: Offer WeChat Pay and Alipay. Have a WeChat contact point for customer service. Make the booking confirmation available in Mandarin. Small things like these remove friction and send a clear signal that you prepared for Chinese guests. - Do we offer discounts or loyalty programs for Chinese tourists?
Answer: Yes, and make them visible on Chinese platforms. Early check-in, late check-out, complimentary breakfast. Chinese travelers are value-conscious, they will notice and they will tell their friends. - What Mandarin-language support do we have across our digital channels?
Answer: Your website, booking confirmation and customer service emails should all be available in Mandarin. A WeChat official account for direct communication is the standard now. Hotels without it look outdated to Chinese guests. - How well do our rooms cater to Chinese guests’ needs?
Answer: Slippers, electric kettle, green tea, adaptor plugs. These are small investments that make a real difference. Chinese guests notice when a hotel has thought about them specifically. - Can we work with Chinese tour operators or package providers to increase our reach?
Answer: Yes. Chinese tour operators bring group business that can fill rooms quickly around Golden Week and Chinese New Year. Reach out directly and make sure you have a Mandarin brochure ready. See our services page for help with this. - Are we using WeChat to keep Chinese guests engaged before, during and after their stay?
Answer: Use WeChat for pre-arrival tips, in-stay concierge support, and post-departure follow-ups. Exclusive offers sent via WeChat keep your hotel in mind for future trips. See our WeChat marketing approach for hotels. - Do we have a feedback system for Chinese guests?
Answer: A WeChat survey or QR code-linked feedback form works well. Asking in Mandarin shows respect and gets better responses. Use the data to improve your offer. - What Chinese cultural details are we missing?
Answer: Face-to-face service matters. So does understanding that Chinese families often travel three generations at once: grandparents, parents and kids. Rooms that accommodate this, and staff who acknowledge it, stand out immediately. - How do we ensure Chinese guests feel welcomed from the first interaction?
Answer: Train your front desk team on basic Mandarin greetings. Signage in Chinese, a welcome kit, a Mandarin check-in document. None of this is expensive. All of it makes an impression. - Are we using Mandarin keywords to boost our SEO on Chinese platforms?
Answer: This is important. Keywords like 国际酒店 (international hotel) or 热门景点附近的酒店 (hotels near popular attractions) drive organic traffic from Baidu. If your website is not indexed by Baidu you are invisible to a large part of the Chinese market. - Can we introduce a “China-ready” package?
Answer: A package with a Mandarin welcome letter, a local area guide in Chinese, and WeChat Pay integration is a strong differentiator. Very few foreign hotels have done this well. It positions you immediately above the competition. - Are we showing local attractions in a way that appeals to Chinese travelers?
Answer: Chinese travelers love shopping districts, photo spots and food experiences. Create short video guides on Douyin or Xiaohongshu showing what to do near your hotel. That content works on multiple levels: it drives discovery and builds trust. - How are we handling reviews on Chinese platforms?
Answer: Monitor Dianping, Mafengwo and Ctrip reviews. Respond in Mandarin. Acknowledge issues. Thank guests who write positive reviews. This practice builds your reputation faster than any paid campaign. - Have we set up a Douyin or Xiaohongshu account?
Answer: If not this is where to start. A Douyin or Xiaohongshu presence lets millions of potential Chinese visitors see your hotel through short videos and photo posts. The cost of setup is low. The potential reach is enormous. - Are we set up for group travel?
Answer: Group rooms, family configurations, group pricing. These are features Chinese travelers look for. Make them easy to find on your listing and in your Mandarin brochure. - Are we partnering with local businesses that cater to Chinese tourists?
Answer: Local restaurants, tour guides, shopping centers. Joint promotions create added value for Chinese guests and expand your reach within Chinese travel communities online. - How often do we track Chinese travel trends?
Answer: Follow Xiaohongshu and Mafengwo for trend signals. Industry reports from Ctrip and the China Tourism Academy come out annually. If “slow travel” or “rural experiences” are trending among Chinese travelers, adapt your offer to reflect that. - Is our staff trained to handle cultural differences?
Answer: Cultural sensitivity training is worth doing once a year. Communication styles, tipping expectations (Chinese guests generally do not tip), dietary preferences. Staff who understand these details make Chinese guests feel at home. - How do we build loyalty with Chinese guests after they leave?
Answer: Send a personalised thank-you in Mandarin after checkout. Offer a return discount via WeChat. Stay in touch. Chinese travelers who have a strong first experience at a foreign hotel do come back, and they tell their network about it. That word-of-mouth is worth more than any ad.
Summary: what moves the needle
| Action | Impact | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrip + Mafengwo listing in Mandarin | High | Low |
| WeChat Pay + Alipay | High | Medium |
| Douyin / Xiaohongshu account | High | Medium |
| Mandarin customer service via WeChat | High | Medium |
| Cultural training for staff | Medium | Low |
| China-ready room amenities | Medium | Low |
For more on how to reach Chinese travelers digitally, see our Chinese digital marketing agency overview. For external data, the Ctrip Outbound Travel Report 2024 and Statista China tourism data are solid starting points.
How CTA helps hotels attract Chinese guests
Douyin
CTA manages Douyin campaigns for hotels, from KOL selection to content production and reporting. We have built this out for properties in Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Visit our Douyin marketing page for details.
Xiaohongshu (RED)
We create and manage official brand accounts on Xiaohongshu, produce content in Mandarin and connect hotels with the right travel KOLs. If your hotel has never appeared on this platform, this is usually the fastest way to generate awareness among Chinese travelers in the 25-40 age group.
From account setup to Moments campaigns, customer service and WeChat Pay integration, CTA handles the full scope for hotels. We also help hotels build their contact database on WeChat for ongoing communication with past guests. See all our services at chinesetouristagency.com/our-services.
Pedro Wang is the founder of Chinese Tourists Agency, a digital marketing agency in Shanghai. He has been working with hotels and tourism businesses on China marketing since 2008. Most of his time goes to helping foreign brands avoid expensive mistakes in the Chinese market.
