Traditional Culture Encyclopedia - Hotel accommodation - How does the Middle East attract more and more China tourists?

How does the Middle East attract more and more China tourists?

Orange tourism, windy desert, archaeological treasure, luxury beach resort? China's growing middle class increasingly sees the Middle East as its next holiday destination.

With the increasing affluence, the number of tourists from China has surged in recent years, and China has become the largest outbound tourism market in the world. But besides visiting countries in East Asia and Europe, China tourists are looking for new destinations.

About 540,000 China tourists visited Dubai last year, up from 450,000 in 20 15. According to the statistics of Luxury Dialogue, China has become one of the top ten tourist markets in Dubai.

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is another popular destination, and the number of China tourists visiting this destination has increased by 56% this year. By 202 1, its plan will attract 600,000 tourists from China every year.

Marco Vucinic, Senior Vice President and Acting Director of JLL Middle East and North Africa Hotels & Hotels Group, said that China's growing middle class was attracted by landmarks and landmark development in the UAE, whether it was shopping malls, beaches or cultural attractions.

Vucinic said: "The Middle East provides tourists with a completely different holiday experience from other parts of the world. In the United Arab Emirates, passengers can visit the open-air market in the morning or take a jeep to the desert, and then go to a shopping center full of designer shops in the afternoon. "

According to the data of Majdal Futtaim Group, in fact, China tourists spend as much as 25% on luxury goods in shopping centers in the United Arab Emirates.

The region is also trying to consolidate its cultural qualifications through projects such as the Louvre to be held in Abu Dhabi. This is the first region outside Paris to adopt the name of the world-famous Louvre, and it is also part of promoting the UAE to become the cultural center of the Middle East.

Get rid of bureaucracy

Tourism incentive policies also help to promote tourism in the Middle East and North Africa. China passport holders who travel to the United Arab Emirates can apply for a 30-day visa on arrival, while members of China OTA Ctrip can enjoy tax exemption.

Morocco has also introduced similar tourism incentives. In 20 16, the number of China tourists to this area tripled, reaching 42,000. Moroccan tourists from China have been exempted from visas since last summer.

Vucinic explained: "The local government has done a lot of marketing and publicity work to promote the cultural and material heritage of the region, especially in Cairo. The challenge they face is how to convey the security image of the region. "

The hotel reconsidered its strategy.

Hotels are rethinking how to cater to the influx of tourists from China. For example, in the United Arab Emirates, Intercontinental Hotels launched the "China Ready" certification for hotels with Mandarin employees, accepted payment from China bank cards, and provided guests with China tea.

Vucinic said: "The tourist behavior of China tourists is often different from that of tourists from other parts of the world. They either want ultra-high-end luxury hotels or are very sensitive to the cost of travel. Some people choose a five-star hotel for a few nights, then move to a more affordable hotel to rest, and the rest of the holiday is spent like this. They are more inclined to explore local cultural characteristics than stay in resorts, and they prefer to travel in groups. "

The region is benefiting from the consumption growth brought by more tourism, but for local hotels, it may not be easy to win through small changes. Before tourists plan to go there or even consider flying, there is still a lot of work to be done in marketing in the Middle East.

Vucinic said: "Hotel operators eager to make full use of the growth of tourism in China will be a good choice if they can introduce strong business in China. This includes attending a large exhibition or hiring a sales manager in China and selling rooms to the local tourism bureau. "

Future favorite?

In the long run, it seems that the number of China tourists visiting the UAE will continue to grow. The two regions are trying to reach a free trade agreement, which Vucinic says may increase the number of business tourists in China.

At the same time, China's "Belt and Road Initiative" is an ambitious development activity aimed at promoting Asian trade and economic growth, which will run through the Middle East and consolidate its position on the map of adventure travelers in China.

Vucinic said: "The development of China tourists in the Middle East is still in its infancy, but it will eventually become an increasingly important part of the tourism market in this region. Now, the hotel industry in this region should seek innovative ways to provide experiences and services that meet the needs of China tourists as part of its long-term strategy. " (compile: orange brigade lily)

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