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Emirates Airlines announces that starting from July 30, a brand-new direct flight route between Hangzhou and Dubai will be launched. This route will operate one flight per day and will be operated by a three-class Boeing 777-300ER, taking passengers from Hangzhou to explore the world. Flight schedule EK310 Dubai-Hangzhou Departs from Dubai at 09:40Arrives in Hangzhou at 22:00 Flight EK311 from Hangzhou to Dubai Departs from Hangzhou at 00:10Will arrive in Dubai at 04:55(Emirates Airlines summer flight schedule, Flight departure and arrival times are in local time of the departure/destination city)

2025 Issue No. 1 To help colleagues in the domestic and international culture and tourism industry stay up-to-date with cultural and tourism development trends and data in the Gulf region, the China Cultural Center in the UAE, the China Cultural Center in Kuwait, and cultural and tourism staff stationed in Gulf countries have jointly launched the “Gulf Tourism Weekly.” This publication reports on regional cultural and tourism situations, local new policies for culture and tourism, major international cultural and tourism events, and other important information. We welcome your attention and valuable feedback. Bahrain Bahrain received a record-breaking 14.88 million tourists in 2024, reaching an all-time high Bahrain’s Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) statistics show that Bahrain received a record-breaking 14.88 million tourists in 2024, representing a 19.94% increase compared to 2023. According to the latest statistics, the percentage of tourists staying in Bahrain for more than one day rose to 44.47%, reaching 6.618 million people—a 20.67% increase from 2023. Tourists staying for just one day accounted for 55.52%, totaling 8.2636 million people, which is a 19.37% increase from 2023. Regarding tourist nationalities, 86.18% of visitors came from Saudi Arabia, totaling 12.8255 million people, a 17% increase from 2023. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of Asian tourists visiting Bahrain doubled to 107,400 people, representing 0.72% of Bahrain’s total tourists. Visitors from other GCC countries increased by 26.1%, reaching 1.6082 million people and accounting for 10.8% of the total number of tourists. (Source: Bahrain National News) Bahrain’s Gulf Air passenger numbers increased by 5.4% last year Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat has confirmed that Gulf Air will continue to increase revenue and improve performance across all departments. Operating revenue increased to 473 million Bahraini dinars in 2023, a 10% increase compared to 2022, marking the company’s highest revenue since 2012. Gulf Air’s operating expenses reached 429 million dinars in 2022 and 468 million dinars in 2023, while total operating profit increased from 1.510 billion dinars in 2022 to 5.311 billion dinars in 2023. The Bahraini sovereign fund stated that to improve Gulf Air’s financial situation, they have implemented a financial plan focused on increasing revenue and reducing expenses at a fixed ratio, which will positively impact the gradual reduction of the deficit. The company has also taken several measures to develop operations, resulting in a 5.4% increase in Gulf Air’s passenger numbers last year, reaching 6.2 million passengers. Once the 2024 financial report is completed and approved, shipping revenue and total operating profit are expected to increase by 34% and 53% respectively compared to 2023. (Source: Bahrain National News) Iran Iran’s Tehran Province Road Transport Bureau Director Mehrdad Jahani announced on April 13 that during the peak travel period of Iran’s traditional New Year holiday this year, a total of 712,000 people traveled via public transportation through the province’s major passenger terminals, representing an 8.2% increase compared to the same period last year. The main departure points were Tehran city’s four major passenger terminals and county transportation companies, with popular destinations including Isfahan, Mazandaran, and Gilan provinces. Popular routes within the province were concentrated in Firoozkooh, Damavand, and Rudehen. During this period, 146 transportation companies, 21 stations, 5,706 vehicles, and 3,884 drivers participated in providing transportation services. These services are still ongoing. Iran’s 2025 Nowruz Holiday Tourism Booms: Over 36 Million Trips Nationwide, Mashhad Most Popular According to statistics from Iran’s National Tourism Coordination Center, during the 2025 Nowruz holiday period (March 15 to April 3), the country received a total of 36.51 million tourist visits. Mashhad, Shiraz, Tehran, Isfahan, and Bandar Abbas ranked as the top five cities in terms of visitor numbers. Mazandaran and Gilan provinces led the nation in tourism reception volume.Rail and maritime passenger transportation increased by 4.5% and 6.1% year-on-year respectively, with overall public transportation travel growing by 19%.Iran’s tourism management department utilized mobile cloud platforms for the first time to precisely monitor tourist movements, improving the efficiency of data collection. Additionally, according to the report, educational institutions across the country opened classrooms to provide simple accommodation services for teachers, with this type of reception increasing by 15% compared to last year. (Source: Iran Mehr News Agency) Kuwait On April 14, the “Francophone Month” activities officially launched in Kuwait. The event will continue until the end of April, with 44 diplomatic missions in Kuwait participating. Belgian Ambassador to Kuwait Christian Dooms highly praised Kuwait’s outstanding role and contributions in spreading cultural awareness and embracing diverse cultures and civilizations, describing Kuwait as providing an excellent platform for cultural exchange.Several ambassadors from Francophone countries to Kuwait unanimously noted that “although Kuwait is not a member of the International Organization of La Francophonie, it actively participates in all matters related to the organization.” (Source: Kuwait Al-Qabas/Torch Newspaper) On April 15, Kuwait Airways announced the launch of the “Suwalfna Kuwaiti” (meaning “Our Kuwait”) chat show on airplane screens. The program is hosted by media celebrity Jassim Al-Abouh and Kuwaiti dialect researcher Fatima Al-Omar, focusing on the meanings of Kuwaiti dialect vocabulary, detailed explanations of their usage and correct pronunciation, as well as Kuwaiti cultural heritage. This initiative is part of Kuwait Airways’ plan to update and develop content for aircraft screens, which is refreshed every two months. In addition to rich entertainment programs, the latest international films and exciting series, there are exclusive podcasts and various genres of music, as well as content specifically designed for children, ensuring that family members of all ages can enjoy a pleasant experience. (Source: Kuwait Al-Siyasa/Politics Newspaper) Oman Oman’s Tourist Numbers Decline in 2024, but Its Tourism Development Goals Remain Ambitious According to Gulf Business Observer, Oman’s tourism industry appears to be struggling compared to other Gulf countries. Data from Oman’s National Center for Statistics and Information shows that the number of tourists visiting Oman in 2024 decreased by nearly 3%, reaching only 3.9 million visitors. According to Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, in 2025, the ministry plans to implement 84 tourism promotion activities, 46 media publicity campaigns, and 19 outreach activities.

“China Travel” becomes even more convenient. The State Taxation Administration recently issued an announcement to expand the “instant tax refund upon purchase” service for departing travelers from pilot areas to the entire country. This means that foreign tourists can now enjoy on-the-spot tax refunds for their shopping nationwide and can continue to use the refunded amount for further spending within China. The “instant tax refund upon purchase” is a streamlined measure within the departure tax refund policy. Simply put, when foreign tourists buy tax-refundable goods at designated “instant refund” stores in regions where the policy is implemented, they only need to provide a credit card pre-authorization as a guarantee to receive the tax refund on the spot. On December 4, 2024, a tourist from Poland takes a photo at Yuyuan Bazaar in Shanghai. As the list of visa-free countries to China continues to expand and improvements are made in areas such as payment, language, and transportation, traveling in China is becoming increasingly convenient—attracting a growing number of international tourists.(Xinhua News Agency, photo by Chen Haoming) This initiative was previously piloted in regions such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangdong, Sichuan, Zhejiang, and Shenzhen. According to data from the State Taxation Administration, in 2024, the number of foreign tourists claiming departure tax refunds, the sales of tax-refundable goods, and the total amount of tax refunded increased by 2.3 times, 1.2 times, and 1.3 times year-on-year, respectively. A relevant official from the Goods and Services Tax Department of the State Taxation Administration stated that the biggest highlight of the “instant tax refund upon purchase” is that it brings the tax refund process forward—allowing foreign tourists to receive their refunds during the shopping stage. This enables them to more directly experience the benefits of the refund and encourages additional spending after receiving the refund on-site. Unilateral visa-free entry for citizens of 38 countries, extended 240-hour visa-free transit for travelers from 54 countries, and significantly improved payment convenience for foreigners visiting China—all of these factors are helping make “China Travel” a trending phrase globally, attracting a large number of international tourists to China. The nationwide rollout of the “instant tax refund upon purchase” policy comes at just the right time. According to data from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, China’s travel income and expenditure in 2024 amounted to $290.4 billion, a 32% increase compared to 2023 and approximately the same as in 2019. Among this, travel income reached $39.7 billion, showing a 59% growth. Experts believe that the nationwide expansion of this service measure will further stimulate the consumption power of foreign tourists and amplify the economic benefits of tourism for international visitors. This announcement clearly outlines the main details, procedures, and implementation timeline for the “instant tax refund upon purchase” service. It also specifies that tax refund stores wishing to offer the “instant tax refund upon purchase” service can become such stores after reaching an agreement with local tax refund agencies. Currently, tax authorities in several regions have organized training and guidance for local merchants on setting up “instant tax refund upon purchase” stores, as well as on the tax refund process and related matters. This is helping to accelerate the implementation and successful rollout of the “instant tax refund upon purchase” service. Source: Xinhua News Agency

Starting from May 1st, Sichuan Airlines will increase the frequency of its Dubai = Chengdu route to one flight per day!Whether you want to explore the picturesque landscapes of the “Land of Abundance” (Chengdu) or experience the luxurious wonders of the “Desert Miracle” (Dubai), Sichuan Airlines makes your dual-city journey easy and seamless In addition to direct flights from Dubai to Chengdu, Sichuan Airlines also operates a Dubai = Yinchuan route every Thursday, giving you even more travel options Let’s first experience the unique charm of Sichuan together!And travel through magnificent Sichuan and explore the mystical Land of Abundance Relaxing Holiday Journey: Sichuan Airlines Travel through the Land of Abundance, Chengdu,the Liquor City of Luzhou,the First City on the Yangtze River, Yibin,and Mianyang, the City of Science and Technology in China.Experience the diverse cultures of Sichuan’s cities. Chengdu Walk through Kuanzhai Alleys, sipping a bowl of 盖碗茶 (lidded tea) in a courtyard of gray bricks and dark tiles.Stroll through Jinguan Old Town, watching a Sichuan Opera face-changing performance in a quiet, historic street.Visit the Giant Panda Base to see the adorable national treasure up close.Or, explore Qingcheng Mountain, seeking wisdom, and admire the Dujiangyan Irrigation System.And don’t forget to try Chengdu’s famous street snacks for a true culinary adventure Luzhou In southern Sichuan’s Xiao Emei (Little Emei) in Xuyong, Luzhou, the majestic peaks and steep cliffs of Dan Mountain rise into the clouds.Below the mountain, endless terraced fields stretch for miles, creating a breathtaking landscape.It is recognized as one of the 100 most beautiful scenic photography locations in Sichuan. Yibin In the First City on the Yangtze River, explore Lizhuang Ancient Town, a national-level historic and cultural town rich in heritage.Or visit the Shunan Bamboo Sea, where you can marvel at endless bamboo forests and listen to the soothing whispers of rustling bamboo leaves. Mianyang Visit Jiuhuang Mountain to experience the mysterious culture and traditions of the ancient Qiang people.Explore Yuewang Tower, a renowned historic pavilion rich in poetry and literary collections.Travel to the hometown of Li Bai, where the memorial hall houses precious artifacts and rare calligraphy works of the great poet.Discover various architectural sites, sculptures, and stone inscriptions dedicated to Li Bai’s legacy. Snow Mountain & Ice Adventure: Sichuan Airlines When it comes to breathtaking landscapes, you can always trust Sichuan!Plateaus, lakes, grasslands, natural wonders, and cultural heritage—Sichuan has it all to satisfy your wanderlust King Gesar King Gesar is a legendary hero in the hearts of the Tibetan people and a mighty guardian deity in Tibetan Buddhism.When the snow-capped mountains and the illuminated Buddhist stupas shine together,all worldly concerns fade away Jiuzhaigou Jiuzhaigou is famous for its six wonders: alpine lakes, waterfalls, colorful forests, snow-capped peaks, blue ice, and Tibetan culture.It is known as a “fairy-tale world” and proudly holds the title of “King of Waterscapes.” The saying goes: “After visiting Jiuzhaigou, no other waters can compare.”This is a masterpiece of nature, where towering snow peaks, crystal-clear lakes, vibrant waterfalls, rushing torrents, and lush forests create a breathtaking landscape. Want to chase the warm sunshine? In the southwest of Sichuan,you’ll find spring-like sunshine all year round. Warm Sunshine Journey: Sichuan Airlines Xichang Known as the “Little Spring City,” Xichang is blessed with abundant sunshine.Hop on a small boat, feel the gentle breeze caress your face, and watch the golden sunset cast shimmering reflections on the water.As seagulls glide over the waves in the distance, a sense of pure serenity fills the air.

On February 12, to celebrate the 2025 Chinese Spring Festival, the China Cultural Center in the UAE was invited to participate in the 22nd Sharjah Heritage Days. Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi of Sharjah attended the opening ceremony. Ten Chinese films, including My People, My Hometown, were screened during the heritage event, providing an opportunity for the people of Sharjah to understand Chinese culture through cinema. Teachers and students from the Arabic Language Department of Zhejiang Gongshang University set up a Chinese cultural exhibition booth, offering cultural experience activities such as calligraphy, painting, bead crafting, and Chinese folk music, allowing visitors to personally experience the charm of Chinese culture. The theme of this year’s Sharjah Heritage Days is “Roots,” featuring exhibitions of handicrafts, Arabic song and dance performances, traditional farming tools, and fishing net making, showcasing the UAE’s traditional cultural heritage. This year’s Sharjah Heritage Days event begins on February 12 and continues until February 23, with teams from 26 countries and 7 international organizations participating.