“I must visit China immediately — I simply can’t wait,” said Kenyan travel agent Vivian Kobe after stepping out of a virtual reality experience at the China Pavilion during Arabian Travel Market 2025 in Dubai.
The VR production, titled Guangfumenghualu (“Dream of Guangzhou”), left a lasting impression on Kobe and many other visitors. It vividly contrasts Guangzhou’s rich history as the origin of the Maritime Silk Road with its dynamic, modern skyline — all brought to life using state-of-the-art visual effects technology, the same behind China’s acclaimed digital works Nezha 2 and Black Myth: Wukong.
Kobe, who runs a travel agency in Kisumu, Kenya, was among more than 55,000 travel professionals and 2,800 exhibitors from 166 countries attending the four-day trade fair. “This immersive experience gave me profound insights into China despite never having visited,” she said. “Guangzhou now tops my must-visit list.”
The China Pavilion, themed “Nihao China,” was organized by the UAE China Cultural Center and brought together seven government tourism departments and 26 enterprises from 13 Chinese regions. Alongside the VR showcase, the pavilion featured interactive exhibits, cultural demonstrations, and an exclusive display of intangible cultural heritage artifacts.
Zhong Kai, a Guangzhou representative at the pavilion, emphasized the importance of blending technology and storytelling to attract international visitors. “It’s not just a film — it’s a journey through China’s past and future,” he said.
Liu Yang, director of the China Cultural Center, noted a strategic goal behind the delegation’s presence: “While Chinese travelers are increasingly exploring Middle Eastern destinations, inbound tourism to China from this region remains limited. That’s exactly why we’re here.”
The efforts are paying off. The cultural center reported receiving more than 150 formal inquiries about group itineraries. Most interest centered around premium business tours and customized packages focused on China’s Greater Bay Area, the Yangtze River Delta, and the country’s southwest.
