1 in 5 Global Tourists Are Chinese - How To Attract Them?

This year, the world’s largest tourist market will get even larger!

But they are also savvier and well-informed too. So, what’s the secret to reaping a slice of this enormous pie?

2018 Is The EU-China Tourism Year (ECTY)

On January 19, the European Union and China jointly commemorated a program to further boost collaborations in the travel and tourism sectors. The EU’s goal is to achieve an annual increase in Chinese visitors by 10%, equal to at least € 1 billion a year for the tourism industry.

Dubbed as ‘Ready for China’, the initiative is to foster commercial and cultural exchanges between the European Union and China.

The ECTY is funded by EU and involves the European Travel Agency, European Tourism Association and China National Tourism Association. Key objectives are to help every segment of the travel industry to attract and welcome the Chinese travellers better.

Number One Tourism Market Since 2012

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reported that the combined Chinese tourists expenditure in 2016 exceeded USD 261 billion (21% of the world's international tourism spending).

The growth in their outbound travels has benefitted a myriad of tourist, hospitality and leisure destinations in the Asia-Pacific, notably Japan, the Republic of Korea and Thailand.

Their favorite long-haul destinations are in the United States and Europe.

Forecast by China Outbound Tourism Research Institute’s (COTRI)

COTRI’s final forecast on Chinese nationals making outbound trips in year 2017 was 145 million.

Barring unforeseen events, COTRI projects the numbers crossing border in year 2018 will be 154 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.3%.

In breaking down year 2018 numbers, COTRI projects 68 million will be making trips within Greater China destinations, while 86 million will arrive at destinations in the rest of the world (a growth of 10% against 2017).

How To Successfully Reap The Chinese Travel Market?

Many marketing teams in the hotel, hospitality and leisure industries have already seen the immense potential of the Chinese outbound tourists market. But few have reacted positively due to the key challenges in winning them over.

It has been reported that the modern day Chinese travellers are extraordinarily savvy in planning and making their holiday getaways. Many even opt for the do-it-yourself travel experience, resulting a sharp increase of the Free, Independent Travellers (FIT).

It’s therefore imperative that the promotional information on websites, at destinations, social media platforms, various marketing avenues, etc., are able to effectively engage with the Chinese audience, in their preferred language, i.e, Simplified Chinese.

It has been said time and time again, that the use of automated Translation Machine is doomed for failure, literal translation alone is just not enough to deliver that expected emotional connection with the Chinese or with any other native-language speaking audiences.

It will be most unfortunate for businesses that continue to take these routes. Not only will they fail to capitalize on the burgeoning Chinese travel market, the sub-standard content they display will even tarnish their brand.

You need Transcreation (translation infused with creative writing or creative translation) that takes into account all the various nuances of the vernacular of that language.

Transcreation helps you transcend language and cultural boundaries, which is paramount to ensuring an effective content marketing strategy.

To connect and engage with the well-informed Chinese audiences, or other native-speaking communities around the world, we need targeted, clear messages that connect and engage – remember, If they can't read it, they won't buy it.

So, instead of taking chances with your valuable marketing resources and hoping that your message reaches the right eyes, relying on end-to-end content transcreation is a prudent bet.

With specialized creative translations in multiple languages, marketing campaigns will have better traction at enticing and inspiring target readers with the right tone and the right impact.

In other words, transcreation can help convert clicks into bookings and readers into customers.

Original post of this article can be found here.

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About IPPWORLD

As a Language Service Provider, IPPWORLD assists travel, hospitality and lifestyle establishments enhance their engagement strategy in global markets. We provide end-to-end Multilingual Localization and Transcreation (creative translation) solutions for website content and online booking information. Transcreation encourages higher readership amongst native-language speaking communities, helps drive conversions, grows revenue and builds brand loyalty. To understand how you can connect with your global audience through transcreation, drop us a mail at [email protected], or connect with Joanne Chan on Linkedin.