China Tells Mid- to High-End Hotels to Accept Foreign Bank Cards

(Bloomberg) — Chinese hotels with three-star ratings and above have been told to accept foreign bank-card payments, as the government tries to make life easier for those visiting the country and giving its ailing economy a boost.

Major tourist attractions have also been instructed to accept overseas bank cards, as well as support payments in cash and increase foreign-exchange services, according to a statement from departments including the People’s Bank of China and Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Tuesday.