Foreign tourists wander along Jiuqu Bridge, or nine-bend bridge, in Shanghai's downtown Yu Garden. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]

Shanghai is enhancing its allure for inbound tourists by broadening its range of accommodation options to encompass almost every genre available, including star-rated hotels, boutique hotels, and bed-and-breakfasts, as well as offering more accessible services such as POS machines that accept foreign bank cards.

These efforts are geared towards positioning Shanghai as the premier destination for inbound tourism in China, fostering a welcoming and convenient environment for both domestic and international visitors.

The expansion of accommodation resources, coupled with the installation of POS machines that accept foreign credit cards, has opened up new opportunities for distinctive bed-and-breakfasts, which have been gaining popularity for their unique services, setting them apart from standard-star hotels.

In response to these developments, local bed-and-breakfast operators have been actively enhancing their services for international visitors. Gong Yi, manager of the five-star Yiyi Bed-and-Breakfasts in Chongming, highlighted the necessity for basic conversational English skills among staff and underscored the importance of adapting service details to accommodate the needs of both domestic and foreign guests.

Shanghai's inbound tourism market has witnessed a significant recovery, propelled by visa exemption agreements and policies, resulting in a record tourism revenue of 412.2 billion yuan ($56.95 billion) and over 3.64 million inbound tourists in 2023, solidifying its position as the nation's top destination for inbound tourism.

Industry experts anticipate a rapid recovery of inbound tourism this year, buoyed by improved payment environments and the ongoing expansion of China's visa-free partnerships.

Source: shobserver.com