Exploring Foreign Tourists’ Payment Experiences in China

The rapid adoption of mobile payment systems has transformed transaction experiences worldwide, yet foreign tourists in China face significant challenges in adapting to the country’s highly digitized financial ecosystem. This study explores the payment experiences of international visitors, examining the barriers they encounter, including verification constraints, infrastructure limitations, language barriers, and the exclusionary nature of domestic payment platforms. Through in-depth interviews with 30 foreign tourists, the findings reveal that payment accessibility directly influences travel satisfaction, spending behavior, and overall destination experience. Tourists employ various adaptation strategies, such as carrying cash, using intermediaries, and leveraging local support networks to navigate transaction difficulties. The study contributes to tourism and payment method research by integrating mobile payment adoption with the tourism experience and highlighting the psychological impact of payment failures on tourists. Practical recommendations include enhancing the interoperability of mobile payment platforms, improving multilingual support, and fostering financial inclusion to create a seamless transaction environment for international visitors. Strengthening cross-border payment accessibility can improve China’s competitiveness as a global tourism destination and enhance foreign travelers’ experiences.