The number of Chinese tourists travelling to the GCC is expected to increase 81% from 1.6 million in 2018 to 2.9 million in 2022, according to data published ahead of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019, koji se održava u Dubai World Trade Center od 28. aprila – 1. maja 2019.
Najnovije istraživanje iz Colliers International, in partnership with ATM 2019, reveals that the GCC countries currently attract just 1% of China’s total outbound market, however positive trends are expected over the coming years as 400 million Chinese tourists are expected to go abroad in 2030 – up from 154 million in 2018.
Looking at the economic drivers, China’s links with the GCC have strengthened in recent years due to the introduction of additional and direct airline routes; the strong growth of the Chinese economy and Chinese tourists’ increasing disposable income.
Keen to capitalise on this potential, figures from ATM 2018 show 25% of delegates, exhibitors and attendees were interested in doing business with China.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “China is set to account for a quarter of international tourism by 2030 – and owing to its many business and investment opportunities, as well as a new generation of leisure attractions and retail destinations, the GCC is set to capitalise on this growth with millions of Chinese tourists about to make their first international trip.
“Last year, the number of Chinese exhibitors participating at ATM almost doubled and this trend looks set to continue as we look ahead to ATM 2019.
“Over the years, sentiment at ATM has reflected the growth in Chinese tourists to the GCC and today we have seen more hotel and travel professionals than ever before eager to capitalise on the significant opportunities presented by the Chinese market.”
The Colliers data shows Saudi Arabia will experience the highest proportionate increase in arrivals from China, with a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 33% between 2018 and 2022. Both the kingdom and China’s cultural and educational exchanges have been cited as one of the key elements driving this influx.
Looking at the remainder of the GCC, the UAE will follow with a forecasted CAGR of 13%, Oman at 12% and both Bahrain and Kuwait will steadily increase their Chinese visitor arrivals with a growth of 7%.
In the UAE, China is the fifth largest source market behind India, Saudi Arabia, the UK and Oman. Over the last 12 months, the UAE has stepped up its efforts to attract more Chinese visitors with Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) recently signing an agreement with Chinese internet giant Tencent to promote the emirate as a preferred destination for Chinese travellers.
Meanwhile, in Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait passport holders from the People’s Republic of China can now receive a thirty-day visa on arrival.
“It is interesting to note that just 7% of the total Chinese population possess a passport, compared to approximately 40% of Americans and 76% of British. The outbound Chinese market therefore represents a vast, untapped pool of affluent and adventurous travellers and the GCC is stepping up its efforts to ensure it remains a destination of choice,” Curtis added.
Over the last 10 years, airports in the Middle East and China have shown the fastest increase in hub connectivity worldwide with Emirates, Etihad, Saudia, Gulf Air, China Eastern and Air China all providing direct flights between the GCC and various destinations in China.
Emirates, the leading passenger service provider from the GCC to China, now offers 38 weekly flights between both destinations.
During 2018, China Eastern announced plans to launch three-times weekly direct flights between Shanghai and Dubai – further complementing the airline’s three existing flights between Shanghai and Dubai, which have a stopover in Kunming, the capital of China’s Yunnan province.
Bankomat – koji profesionalci u industriji smatraju barometrom za turistički sektor Bliskog istoka i Sjeverne Afrike, ugostio je preko 39,000 ljudi na svom događaju 2018., prikazujući najveću izložbu u povijesti sajma, s hotelima koji čine 20% površine.
ATM 2019 će se nadovezati na uspjeh ovogodišnjeg izdanja s mnoštvom seminarskih sesija na kojima će se raspravljati o tekućem digitalnom poremećaju bez presedana i pojavi inovativnih tehnologija koje će iz temelja promijeniti način na koji ugostiteljska industrija posluje u regiji.
ENDS
O Arabian Travel Market (ATM)
Arapsko turističko tržište je vodeći međunarodni događaj za putovanja i turizam na Bliskom istoku za profesionalce u dolaznom i odlaznom turizmu. ATM 2018 privukao je skoro 40,000 profesionalaca iz industrije, sa predstavnicima iz 141 zemlje tokom četiri dana. 25. izdanje bankomata predstavilo je preko 2,500 kompanija izlagača u 12 hala Svjetskog trgovinskog centra Dubaija. Arabian Travel Market 2019 održat će se u Dubaiju od nedjelje, 28th aprila do srijede, 1st maj 2019. Da saznate više, posjetite: http://arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com/
O Reed Exhibicijama
Reed Exhibitions je vodeća svjetska kompanija za događaje, koja povećava snagu licem u lice putem podataka i digitalnih alata na preko 500 događaja godišnje, u više od 30 zemalja, privlačeći više od sedam miliona učesnika.
O Reed Travel Exhibitions
Reed Travel Exhibitions je vodeći svjetski organizator putovanja i turizma sa rastućim portfeljem od više od 22 međunarodna putovanja i turistička trgovačka događaja u Europi, Americi, Aziji, Bliskom istoku i Africi. Naši događaji su lideri na tržištu u svojim sektorima, bilo da se radi o globalnim i regionalnim trgovačkim događajima u slobodno vrijeme, ili specijalnim događajima za sastanke, poticaje, konferencije, događaje (MICE) industriju, poslovna putovanja, luksuzna putovanja, putnu tehnologiju, kao i golf, spa i skijanje. Imamo preko 35 godina iskustva u organizaciji vodećih svjetskih turističkih izložbi.
