KAWO Blog

How Brands Leverage the Special Forces Tourism Trend on Social Media to Connect with Gen Z

During Labor Day holiday, the number of Chinese people traveling inside the country reached a record high. Simultaneously, a new internet buzzword gained popularity: “Special Forces Tourism” (特种兵式旅游).

As a novel form of tourism, “Special Forces’ Tourism” is characterized by time constraints, multiple scenic spots, and affordability — mainly appealing to college students or recent graduates. This trend can be attributed to two factors. Firstly, there is a pent-up enthusiasm for tourism that has been suppressed by the pandemic for three years. Secondly, Gen Z college students and recent grads face financial constraints. To address these challenges, they utilize their resourcefulness, leverage the convenience of online information, and focus on maximizing time efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Their goal is to save money, save time, and have an enjoyable experience.

What Brands Must Know — Marketing Strategies for Gen Z

Keep in mind, Gen Z are particular about their preferences and trends move fast! Make sure to stay up-to-date and always work with a knowledgeable, local team to develop relevant campaigns and communications. In this article we’ll cover several marketing strategies unique to Gen Z and examples of brands which have executed campaigns under each theme.

GUOCHAO

Guochao (China Chic) = Chinese goods + trend of the times. 

In a narrow sense, if something is “Guochao” it refers to trendy brands created by local Chinese designers, or trendy products designed by local Chinese designers that contain Chinese cultural elements. As the trend has evolved, the term now generally refers to the popularity of domestic product groups and products with Chinese characteristics (including foreign brands’ limited series related to China).

What are Gen Z’s Core Values and Characteristics?

Chinese Gen Z consumers have distinct preferences and behaviors. While price and value for money are important, they continuously value brands who make a conscious effort to connect with them on the right channels and create content and products that are highly relevant and personalized.

DIGITAL NATIVES

From early childhood, Gen Z have been exposed to social media, online learning, and digital entertainment, which shaped their communication, learning, entertainment and shopping preferences. Chinese Gen Z consumers are heavily active on social media and e-commerce platforms. According to a 2022 survey, nearly 40 percent of consumers below 24 years old made several online purchases a week. [s]

What Shaped Gen Z’s Consumption Concept?

They are the generation reshaping retail trends of the entire nation. China’s Gen Z, born between 1995 and 2009, number close to 260 million, making up 19% of China’s total population [s]. 

Similar to millennials who came before them, Chinese Gen Z consumers are vastly different from their parent’s generation. Everything from personal preferences, brand awareness, purchasing power and sophisticated digital literacy is reshaping how brands reach, connect with, and retain consumers in China. They are referred to as the “post-95 and 00 generation” who came of age during a time when China was well into its era of exponential growth and digital revolution. With a high purchasing power and curiosity for new products and experiences, Gen Z are an enticing consumer group for both foreign and domestic brands alike — however, the rulebook is complicated…

Trendsetters.

Fueling domestic brand growth for the first time in history.

Conscious consumers.

Experience-seekers. 

……

How can brands effectively reach and retain Gen Z consumers in China? Before we answer this question, let’s take a comprehensive overview of this group of people.

2024 China Marketing Calendar

Managing a social media content calendar is hard enough, and it just gets more stressful when trying to keep track of all the holidays and marketing events in China.
This is why KAWO put together The Ultimate China Marketing Calendar 2024 to inspire and guide your 2024 marketing plans.

The Ultimate China Marketing Calendar 2024

Here is Your China Marketing Calendar for 2023

January

MON 01 JAN

New Year’s Day

THU 04 JAN

World Braille Day

WED 10 JAN

Chinese People’s Police Day

SUN 14 → SUN 28 JAN

2024 Australian Open Tennis

THU 18 JAN

Laba Festival

FRI 19 → WED 31 JAN

2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games

WED 24 JAN

International Day of Education

TUE 30 → WED 31 JAN

2024 ISU Four Continents Championships