Austria in China
Seitennavigation
China is not only an important country of origin for tourists in Austria, but also an exciting hub of innovation in the field of 'data-driven guest experience'. Artificial intelligence (AI) is already being used in numerous Chinese tourism applications, including chatbots and automated check-ins, to boost efficiency and enhance the guest experience.
To gain an overview of the latest trends and technologies that are already shaping the Chinese tourism sector today and will continue to do so in the near future, Advantage Austria Shanghai and Guangzhou, in cooperation with Austrian Tourism, organised an exciting trend scouting mission to Shanghai and Shenzhen from 23 to 26 June 2025.
The tour began in Shanghai with a visit to Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), one of China's leading social e-commerce platforms. It uses AI-powered analytics to offer personalised travel recommendations and appeals primarily to a young, female audience with its authentic content. Next, the group visited tech giant Ctrip (Trip.com), a global player in the online travel sector offering data-driven solutions throughout the customer journey to provide an extremely simple, service-oriented booking experience. Another Shanghai highlight was a visit to Wintastar, the world's largest indoor ski resort, which opened just a few months ago and has quickly become a spectacular visitor attraction. The SenseTime AI Data Centre also offered insights into facial recognition technology and virtual tours designed to improve traveller safety and experience.
Alongside the busy schedule of company visits, an evening reception at the renowned Mexican restaurant, Pistolera Mexican Cantina, provided an ideal setting for engaging discussions with the Austrian business community in Shanghai.
Following two intensive days in Shanghai, the next stage of the journey on the topic of 'Data-Driven Guest Experience' took place in Shenzhen, also known as the 'Silicon Valley of Asia', on 25 and 26 June. In this city, which is home to a high density of leading technology companies and boasts exceptional innovative strength, the following companies were visited to gain an insight into the future: Tencent, Douyin (TikTok), Ping'an Tower, Huawei and the Shenzhen Contemporary Art and Urban Planning Museum. These visits provided valuable insights into technological developments and the "innovation tools" that will inform future corporate strategies and the expectations of Chinese guests.
A particular highlight was the MOCAUP Museum, where white surfaces were transformed into interactive experience walls using QR codes. This combination of art, technology and user interaction showcased the potential of AI in tourism and beyond.
The networking reception at the Langham Shenzhen provided an opportunity for intensive networking with the local tourism and high-tech communities.
If you have any questions or concerns about the Trend Scouting Mission, please contact Advantage Austria Shanghai (E shanghai@advantageaustria.org) or Guangzhou (E guangzhou@advantageaustria.org).
