Tasmanian tourism operators urged to ride Chinese pay wave

TASMANIAN tourism operators are being urged to sign up to UnionPay, the only domestic bank card organisation in China.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmanian CEO Luke Martin

TASMANIAN tourism operators are being urged to sign up to UnionPay, the only domestic bank card organisation in China, with $6.6US trillion being spent on the cards last year.

UnionPay is the fastest growing payment in the world, with 4.5 million card holders.

Currently the Commonwealth Bank is the only Australian bank to approve UnionPay, but by the end of next month all “big four” banks are expected to be signed up.

Speaking at the Tasmanian Tourism Conference in Launceston, head of South Pacific business development for UnionPay Clark Heng Gu said businesses that displayed the UnionPay logo made Chinese customers feel at ease.

“Make sure your shops have the UnionPay terminals ready and signage ready, that’s important to welcome Chinese customers,” he said.

Mr Heng Gu said it was a crucial step to being China-ready.

About 200 people are attending today’s sold-out tourism conference, with the theme Love Your Customer.

“We lose sight in the industry that ultimately we’re about the people who come through the door,” Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said.

“It’s not just customer service in providing great experiences but also identifying the influences that are shifting the markets that are coming to Tasmania.

“We have a focus on digital disruption, also looking at TravAbility and the baby boomer market, who are coming in greater numbers with physical limitations. We need our industry to be in front of the curve.”

Another 350 people will attend the conference tomorrow.

For further coverage see tomorrow’s Mercury

Originally published as Tasmanian tourism operators urged to ride Chinese pay wave