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The statistic shows the number of travel agencies in China from 2008 to 2022. In the year 2022, there were around 32,600 travel agencies in China
A Chinese travel agency can be a private service retailer or public government company that provides travel-related services to the public on behalf of suppliers such as activities, Trips, holiday packages, cruises, flight tickets, hotel bookings, etc.
Chinese outbound travel agencies based in China Mainland have direct access to Chinese consumers and have licenses to collaborate with International Agencies.
When a Chinese travel agency wants to find an overseas partner, it will:
Make research on Baidu to find serious and reputable Western tour companies
(If your website is not in Chinese and not optimized for the Chinese internet, they won’t find you)
They will check your company’s reputation on Chinese social media platforms, blogs, and forums (They don’t care what foreigners are writing about you on Western media or your website. They validate only Chinese travelers and other Chinese agency’s opinions about you)
They will check if your company is credible: have a WeChat Official Account
They will ask your prices for their shortlist and negotiate the best deal for them
(Be prepared for giving a Chinese agency 60% of the commission)
After some time of cooperation, they will ask you to postpone payments
(First, they will send you a group, and only when the tourists are back and happy, they will pay)
It is difficult to contact Chinese agencies for a number of reasons:
They don’t have English websites
Their websites are behind the Great Firewall and out of reach of Google
They are not responding to emails they don’t know. Completely not responding
They hate prospectors. Most prospectors are cheaters in China
They want proof you are real and credible: Chinese website, Wechat Offical Account
If they do not have clients at the moment, they will ignore you
They want to see your packages in Chinese
They will push you for the lowest possible price if you are new and not credible in China
Some Chinese Outbound Travel Agencies:
1. 山东省中国旅行社Personnel: 67 people
Outbound destinations (2023.02): Asia, EU, Australia, America, Africa, Islands
2. 重庆海外旅业(旅行社)集团有限公司
Personnel: 55 people
Outbound destinations (2023.02):: Asia, Japan, Dubai, Bali
3. 北京青年旅行社股份有限公司
Personnel (2021 annual report): 257 people
Outbound destinations (2023.02): Asia, EU, America, Africa, islands
Want to know how to work with Chinese Travel Agencies?
Working with Chinese travel agencies can be a great way to tap into the lucrative Chinese tourism market. However, it is important to understand the cultural differences and business practices that are unique to China in order to successfully work with these agencies.
Firstly, building relationships is key in Chinese business culture. It is important to establish a personal connection with the agency and its representatives before discussing business. This can involve getting to know them through small talk and sharing personal stories.
Secondly, communication can be a challenge as English may not be the first language for many Chinese travel agents. It is important to be patient and clear in your communication and use simple language and avoid idioms or slang.
Thirdly, it is important to be flexible and adaptable to the needs of the Chinese market. This may involve making adjustments to your products or services to better suit the preferences of Chinese travelers.
Lastly, understanding the regulatory environment in China is crucial, as there are strict rules and regulations governing the travel industry. It is important to work with reputable agencies that are licensed and compliant with the relevant regulations.
Want to have more connections with Chinese Travel Agencies?
In summary, working with Chinese travel agencies requires patience, cultural sensitivity, flexibility, and a good understanding of the regulatory environment. With these considerations in mind, it can be a rewarding way to tap into the growing Chinese tourism market.