China travel apps are taking off

Frederik Reinder Hak captures the attention of a roomful of international tour operators as he takes the stage to introduce a new app during a major travel event in Haikou, the capital of the southern island province of Hainan, in mid-December.

The China UnionPay employee from the Netherlands adeptly navigates the functions of the Nihao China app, developed by UnionPay, to send a clear message that a smoother journey into China is now at their clients' fingertips.

Speaking at the China International Travel Mart, he drew on his nearly seven years of local experience to outline common hurdles for foreign travelers and the digital solutions now available to tackle them head-on.

"You can log in with an overseas email directly on your phone to complete bank card binding," he explains, adding that the app supports a wide range of domestic and international cards for payments, from ordering food to booking taxis.

Navigation and language barriers are also addressed.

"With just a tap, you can see the navigation. Foreigners can switch to the English version."

Beyond logistics, the app builds cultural bridges.

"You can find tickets for attractions, museums, and introductions to other scenic spots in China," he notes, adding that it even simplifies processes like tax refunds with its built-in translation tools.

The Nihao China app is among a wave of new products showcased at the three-day mart in Haikou, which gathered over 1,000 agents and representatives from 101 countries. Airlines, travel agencies, and tech companies unveiled plans to enhance the inbound travel experience across the 65,000-square-meter exhibition space, which also hosted vibrant tourism presentations and large-scale business matchmaking sessions.