To ease payment woes among tourists in China, mid- to high-end hotels
with three-star ratings or above are mandated to accept foreign bank
cards.
Major tourist attractions are also urged to accommodate overseas bank
cards and expand foreign exchange services. This directive, issued
jointly by entities like the People’s Bank of China and Ministry of
Culture and Tourism on 9 April, aims to streamline payment processes for
international visitors.
Foreign tourists often encounter obstacles when making payments in China due to the prevalence of local payment systems like WeChat Pay and Alipay, even at street stalls.
The move comes as China seeks to revitalise its tourism sector
following the COVID-19 pandemic, during which it imposed strict lockdown
measures. The government's efforts include expanding the list of
countries whose citizens can enter China without a visa.
Despite progress, foreign entries and exits numbered 35.5 million in
2023, representing a significant increase from the previous year but
still only about a third of pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to
the National Immigration Administration.
By facilitating payment methods favoured by international travellers,
China hopes to attract more visitors and support economic recovery in
the tourism industry.