When it comes to Middle – Eastern wealthy countries, the UAE has a special place in the hearts of many Chinese people. From taking trendy photos at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, to capturing stunning pictures at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, and indulging in tax – free shopping sprees, it has become a “happy home away from home” for Chinese tourists overseas. Now, with the increasingly close ties between China and the UAE, this joy is set to be amplified in the future.
China – UAE Deepen Airline Cooperation
On June 1st, Air China announced a deep – level cooperation with Emirates Airlines, with plans to launch a Beijing – Abu Dhabi route. Currently, Air China operates several routes between China and the UAE, including Beijing – Dubai, Hangzhou – Dubai, and Chongqing – Dubai.
According to the memorandum of understanding signed by both parties, Emirates and Air China will explore reciprocal code – sharing cooperation on some routes, planning to inter – hang flight numbers on major China – UAE flights (such as Beijing – Dubai) and extended routes to cover more destinations. To enhance the travel experience, they will also coordinate flight schedules or optimize the shortest transfer time for seamless connections. In addition, a cooperation framework for freight business and frequent – flyer programs will be established to provide more added value for business and leisure travelers.
As per Emirates’ plan, from July 30th, the company will operate 49 flights per week in mainland China, including two daily flights to Beijing and Shanghai, and one daily flight to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou.
Rising Popularity of UAE Tourism Among Chinese Tourists
In recent years, the UAE has been increasingly attractive to Chinese tourists. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other places, as global aviation transit hubs, with rich tourism resources and visa – free policies for Chinese tourists, continuously stimulate the enthusiasm of Chinese tourists to visit the UAE. According to UAE tourism department data, in 2024, Dubai received approximately 824,000 Chinese tourists, a 31% increase from the previous year.
Ctrip data shows that during the “May Day” holiday in 2024, the number of travel orders from China to the Middle East increased by nearly 80% year – on – year, with Dubai ranking first in popularity in the Middle East.
In 2024, the tourism industry in Abu Dhabi also witnessed significant growth. According to data released by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the number of international tourists in 2024 increased by 26% year – on – year, with Chinese tourists being one of the major source markets.
The Ambitious UAE
The UAE’s tourism industry achieved remarkable growth in 2024, becoming an important pillar of the national economy. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), in 2024, the contribution of the UAE’s tourism industry to the gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to reach 236 billion dirhams, accounting for 12% of the national GDP. This growth reflects the UAE’s success in attracting international tourists.
In the hotel industry, in the first three quarters of 2024, the hotel revenue in the UAE reached 33.5 billion dirhams, a 4% year – on – year increase. The average hotel occupancy rate reached 77.8%, one of the highest in the world. The total number of hotel accommodation nights was approximately 75.5 million, an 8% increase from the previous year.
The UAE government has set the “Vision 2031”, aiming to attract 40 million tourists by 2031, with the tourism industry’s contribution to GDP reaching 450 billion dirhams. To achieve this goal, the UAE plans to invest heavily in tourism infrastructure, service quality, and sustainable development.
Last month, Abu Dhabi announced the construction of the world’s seventh Disneyland on Yas Island, the first Disney resort in the Middle East. It is expected to become a new hot spot for global tourists, further strengthening the UAE’s position in the international tourism market. With the deepening of China – UAE aviation cooperation and the continuous development of the UAE’s tourism industry, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the UAE is expected to continue to grow in the future.
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