As the Chinese outbound tourism industry continues to grow and following the reopening of Chinese borders after the COVID-19 crisis, attracting Chinese tourists to your restaurant represents a great business opportunity.
To attract Chinese tourists to your restaurant, it is essential to understand their particular needs and preferences. Chinese tourists are often looking for authentic and memorable experiences, and gastronomy is a crucial part of their travel experience.
They are also known to value hospitality and warmth, so it is crucial to create a welcoming atmosphere in your restaurant and tailored to the Chinese audience (with the menu in Chinese or by offering WeChat Pay or Alipay as a form of payment).
In this article, we will offer several tips to attract Chinese tourists to your restaurant, such as offering cuisine that appeals to Chinese people, creating a welcoming atmosphere, providing assistance in Chinese, using digital marketing strategies and offering discounts or promotions.
By following these tips, you will be able to create a pleasant and positive experience for Chinese tourists and tap into the growing Chinese outbound tourism market.
1. Authenticity is key
Serve authentic cuisine and draw Chinese customers to your restaurant. However, simply having traditional dishes on your menu is not enough. To be successful, you must ensure that the dishes are prepared using culinary techniques that appeal to tourists.
The restaurant menu should include traditional local dishes and a decent wine selection, especially red wines, as these are the preferred option among Chinese travelers.
However, tourist differences are seen in the fact that Western breakfasts are not popular with Chinese tourists. They prefer rice, soups, noodles, soy milk and tea to start the day.
2. Have a presence on popular Chinese social media platforms
Chinese tourists are consumers of digital media, so it is essential to use digital marketing strategies to reach them.
Establishing a presence on Chinese social networks such as Little Red Book or partnering with influencer agencies in China to promote your restaurant are effective ways to reach potential customers.
You can also consider using SEO marketing to target Chinese tourists looking for restaurants in your area.
65% of Chinese tourists use Little Red Book to search for restaurant and hotel information.
Having a presence on Little Red Book can help you reach potential Chinese customers, and you can use the platform to share information about your restaurant, promotions and other relevant content.
Little Red Book users often share photos and videos of their restaurant experiences, so sharing high-quality images of your food and your restaurant can be especially effective in attracting Chinese tourists.
Another advantage of Little Red Book is that users can leave reviews and ratings of your restaurant, which can be influential in attracting more customers. Positive reviews and ratings can help increase your restaurant’s reputation and attract more Chinese tourists.
3. Language support
Many Chinese tourists may not be fluent in English, so it is essential to offer Chinese language support in your restaurant. This may include having menus in Chinese or signage in Chinese.
If you make it easy for Chinese tourists to communicate with your staff, you will provide a better customer experience and increase the likelihood of repeat business. This shows that you value and respect their culture and language.
4. Fast service
Fast service is important to Chinese tourists, who are often accustomed to fast and efficient service. Ensuring that your restaurant is adequately staffed and has streamlined processes can help you provide fast service to your Chinese customers.
Chinese tourists may have a preference for fast service due to cultural and social factors. In China, efficiency and speed are highly valued in many aspects of daily life, including business transactions and customer service. Chinese tourists have been known to expect the same level of efficiency and speed when traveling abroad.
In addition, some Chinese tourists have little vacation time, so they want to make the most of their experiences and see as much as possible during their trip. Fast service can help them achieve this.
5. Offer discounts and promotions
Chinese tourists are often looking for value for money when dining out, so consider offering discounts or promotions to attract them to your restaurant. You can offer a discount to customers who share their experience on China’s most popular social media platforms.
You could also offer attractively priced menus for Chinese tourists who are not familiar with typical local cuisine.
This can help you stand out from other restaurants and make your establishment more attractive to Chinese tourists. They do this through the most popular apps in China like Dianping, very similar to Groupon or Tripadvisor.
6. Have Wi-Fi available in your restaurant
Finally, it is essential to ensure a reliable Wi-Fi connection, as Chinese tourists often rely on their mobile devices for information, communication and sharing their experiences on social networks. Providing a stable and fast Wi-Fi connection can make it easier for them to use their devices and enhance their overall dining experience.
7. Conclusion
In summary, attracting Chinese tourists to your restaurant requires a combination of authenticity, welcoming atmosphere, language support, digital marketing and promotional offers. By following these tips, you can create a positive and memorable experience for Chinese tourists and tap into the growing Chinese outbound tourism market.
With the right strategies, your restaurant can become one of the top destinations for Chinese tourists looking for an authentic dining experience.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about attracting Chinese tourists to your restaurant
What is the key to attracting Chinese tourists to a restaurant?
The key to attracting Chinese tourists to a restaurant is to offer an authentic and memorable experience. This is achieved by including traditional Chinese dishes on the menu and preparing them using traditional culinary techniques.
How can I promote my restaurant to attract Chinese tourists?
You can promote your restaurant to attract Chinese tourists by using digital marketing strategies. It is important to be present on the most popular Chinese social media platforms such as Red Book and to utilize influencer marketing in China, also known as Chinese KOLs. You can also consider using SEO marketing to target Chinese tourists looking for restaurants in your area.
Is it important to offer Chinese language support in my restaurant?
Yes, it is very important to offer Chinese language support in your restaurant. This can include Chinese menus and Chinese signage. By facilitating communication with Chinese tourists, you will provide a better customer experience and increase the likelihood that they will return.
Are there specific restaurant review platforms targeted to the Chinese?
Yes, platforms such as Dianping are very popular among Chinese tourists to review and discover restaurants. Make sure your restaurant is listed and actively participate in reviews and ratings to build a positive reputation.