That’s what our fellows Alice Jiao and Emily Qin discovered on their recent travels in China. They were turned away from hotels that lied about accepting foreign visitors. So when Jiao attempted to check into the Nanjing Rest Yizhi Hotel, staff refused him service. The hotel only allows foreigners with a Chinese PRC permanent residence card. As a result, Qin experienced getting turned away by the Royal International Apartment—one of Guangzhou’s five-star hotels. This omission raises questions on whether such policies will discriminate against elderly travelers and families with young children.
In mid-May 2024, China’s Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Commerce, and National Immigration Administration released a joint announcement. They required that hotels must have the obligation to accept guests from foreign countries even with foreign-related license. Many businesses have taken it upon themselves to continue imposing their own limits. This discrepancy reveals a troubling gap between official policy and local implementation, leaving many international visitors confused and frustrated.
Mixed Messages from Hotels
Alice Jiao reserved her accommodations at the Nanjing Rest Yizhi Hotel via Meituan, a leading Chinese booking platform. The precaution she took of checking online to confirm that the hotel accepted foreign guests before making her reservation turned out to be no safeguard at all. Upon arrival, she was turned away.
The hotel yesterday apologized to Jiao, refunding his money. Yet their profile pages on lodging booking platforms continue to advertise that they are welcoming to foreign visitors.
“Of course, it felt unlucky to run into something like this,” – Alice Jiao
Emily Qin encountered a related problem with the Royal International Apartment. She made her reservation through Meituan, but wasn’t warned that the hotel had a policy of refusing foreign tourists.
“[It was] my first shocking booking experience of 2025,” – Emily Qin
Qin told us that these prohibitions can pose significant barriers for older travelers. In addition, they create challenges for young families looking to find places to stay while visiting China.
Challenges in Booking Accommodations
ABC’s own analysis reveals that a mere 15 hotels in the entire region currently accept foreign guests. Of those, only two are considered budget hotels. Xi’an is one of China’s most popular tourist magnets, absolutely teeming with life. You can find at least 52 hotels under HALF A KILOMETER from the famous Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City! This often sparse availability can make travel plans difficult for international visitors who might not know these restrictions and requirements.
Dr. Mingming Cheng, a marketing professor at Curtin University, watched that play out and saw a growing concern. These global booking platforms frequently have a conflict with local hotel policies. He noted that local Chinese OTAs are very good at connecting with domestic hotel systems. This new integration will allow travelers to access more accurate and timely information.
“But many hotels don’t understand what information international platforms required. There are also translation errors,” – Dr. Cheng
In his conclusion, Dr. Cheng implored Chinese authorities and industry groups to adopt a more hospitable disposition to foreign visitors. This dramatic cultural leap forward would make anyone’s travel experience in China much more pleasant.
Government Policies vs. Local Implementation
While the central government has made strides in encouraging hotels to accept foreign tourists, enforcement of these mandates remains inconsistent across different regions. Dr. Sam Huang, a tourism researcher at Edith Cowan University, told Perth Now that these government policies are treated like suggestions – not even pseudo-strong regulations. That flexibility provides an opening for local authorities to interpret and enforce the policies however they see fit.
“In practice, central government policies don’t always align with how local authorities regulate hotels,” – Dr. Sam Huang
This development is particularly devastating to China’s fledgling tourism sector. In 2024, the country received 131.9 million inbound trips — an impressive rebound of 61% over the prior year, according to the China Tourism Academy. And throughout the country, tourism is recovering strongly from the pandemic. It’s important to ensure an easy experience for international guests to foster goodwill and encourage return visits.
