MADRID, April 1 (Xinhua) -- European tourism experts said successfully attracting Chinese tourists was not just a matter of crossing the language barrier, but also of thinking of their culture and customs, according to a press release issued Tuesday.
Addressing the Chinese Friendly Cities tourism conference in the Spanish city of Zaragoza, the president of Chinese Friendly International Kurt Grotsche said "we have to become more Chinese in our thinking" to tap the Chinese tourism market.
With about 100 million Chinese citizens expected to make an international trip in 2014 alone, the Chinese Friendly organization raises awareness of the needs of Chinese tourists globally.
Zaragoza recently became a "Chinese-friendly" city, joining the growing list of cities and tourist attractions such as the famous Thyssen Museum in Madrid, which are adapting to cater more specifically to Chinese visitors.
This can range from having more Chinese food on menus, employing Chinese-speaking staff and making information available in Chinese.
Man Yee, senior trainer in the organization, said destinations needed to "offer the possibility to make tea in the hotel room or to have noodle soup at breakfast. These are differences which allow Chinese tourists to feel as if they are at home."
2013 saw more than a 30 percent rise in the number of Chinese visitors to Spain.
In order to raise further awareness of Spain as a tourist destination in China, Chinese Friendly project manager Jingru Bai recommended that digital channels be used.
"No tourist strategy should overlook the power of blogs or fan trips as leaders in helping to form opinion," Jingru Bai said.
The meeting discussed other important aspects of Spanish tourism such as gastronomy and shopping.
Several key shopping sites in Spain such as Madrid's Las Rozas Outlet Shopping Village have already begun tailoring themselves for Chinese visitors.
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