China’s hotels told to roll out welcome mats for foreign visitors, regardless of service approvals

Authorities say rooms should be provided for international travellers, even if hotels do not have service credentials

Government notice follows complaints by foreigners claiming they were not allowed hotel check-ins

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A new government joint notice says that authorities will exercise “guidance and supervision” for hotels to ensure that they can properly service foreign visitors. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:15pm, 28 May 2024

Hotels in China have been told not to turn away foreign guests by using a lack of government-issued credentials as an excuse, according to a newly issued joint department notice.

The notice, jointly issued by the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Commerce and the National Immigration Administration on Friday, said a lack of “foreign-related credentials” was not a legitimate reason to turn away foreign guests.

The notice was released after an online government bulletin published posts by travellers from Nigeria, the United Kingdom and Pakistan complaining that they had been rejected by hotels in China.

The notice also said the government agencies would exercise “guidance and supervision” for hotels to ensure that they could properly serve foreign visitors.

To accept international travellers, hotels in China previously required certifications that they offered government-approved services.

The requirements are no longer officially in force, but confusion and ambiguity has lingered over the rules, according to media reports.

Government requirements for foreign visitor accommodation have been dropped, but confusion lingers over the rules, according to media reports. Photo: Bloomberg

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