WeChat Transforms Dining Choices for Chinese Tourists in Japan

WeChat Revolutionizes Dining Reservations for Chinese Tourists

Tencent Holdings has unveiled a new tool in its super app, WeChat, aimed at assisting mainland Chinese tourists in Japan. This innovative feature enables users to easily book tables at about 870,000 dining establishments ranging from traditional izakayas to Michelin-starred restaurants, enhancing their travel experience.

Introducing Chinese-Language Tabelog on WeChat

The new Chinese-language version of Tabelog, a popular Japanese restaurant review platform, is now available as a mini program on WeChat (known as Weixin in mainland China). This program not only simplifies the booking process but also eliminates the need for downloading separate apps, providing users with seamless access to restaurant locations, table bookings, and payment options in Chinese yuan.

Industry Trends in Outbound Tourism

This WeChat mini program reflects a broader trend among major tech companies in China, focusing on creating digital solutions for Chinese tourists abroad. Alongside Tencent, Ant Group, affiliated with Alibaba Group Holding, is expanding its international services to facilitate payments via Alipay for mainland Chinese users overseas.

A Timely Tool Ahead of Labour Day Holiday

As the Labour Day holiday approaches, the launch of this mini program has been well-received by Chinese consumers on social media. This tool addresses language barriers and the absence of apps like Google on some smartphones due to regulations, thus making it easier for tourists to secure dining reservations in Japan.

Projected Growth in Chinese Outbound Tourism

Japan remains a key destination for Chinese tourists, with forecasts from JTB Tourism Research & Consulting predicting a significant jump in visitors by 2025. As more countries open up with visa-free travel options, including Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, outbound tourism from China is set to rebound strongly.