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From May 19 to 21, the Embassy of China in the UAE, the China Cultural Center in the UAE, the China International Culture Association, and the UAE Bassam Freiha Art Foundation co-hosted the exhibition and workshop event “The Scent of Nature: Encountering China Blue – Inheritance and Innovation of Traditional Chinese Indigo Dyeing” in Abu Dhabi. Over 120 enthusiasts of Chinese culture from countries such as the UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, Algeria, Germany, France, Italy, India, Australia, and the United States participated in immersive experiences of indigo dyeing and incense culture, admiring indigo-dyed exhibits that represent the “Four Traditional Chinese Dyeing Arts.” 1、Anning Tie-Dye Under the guidance of Yang Cheng, an inheritor of the Anning tie-dye technique, international participants folded and tied white fabrics creatively before immersing them in indigo plant dye. The resulting patterns—ranging from romantic hearts and geometric shapes to starry skies—were ever-changing due to diverse tying methods. Everyone was thrilled with their unique creations, each piece reflecting personal warmth, ideas, and wishes. 2、Blue Printed Cloth Hu Yaofei, an inheritor of the blue printed cloth technique, explained the processes involved in stencil-resist dyeing and plant-based printing. He brought pre-prepared cloths—meticulously carved, coated with resist paste, and dried by Chinese artisans—to Abu Dhabi. Emirati participants then dyed them with indigo pigment and scraped off the resist paste, unveiling blue printed cloths co-created by Chinese artisans and UAE enthusiasts. 3、Miao Batik Ning Manli, a Miao batik artist, introduced the traditional batik techniques originating in Danzhai, Guizhou. The designs—fish, birds, flowers, and mountains—drawn from daily life, were first sketched in wax on cloth using wax knives. After dyeing in indigo and removing the wax, symbolic patterns such as phoenixes (for nobility) and carp (for abundance) emerged. Each cloth embodied the Guizhou women’s aspirations for a better life. As participants listened to these heartfelt stories and engaged in hands-on batik creation, Ning sang “I’m Waiting for You in Guizhou,” filling the workshop with warmth and emotion. 4、Traditional Chinese Incense Making Wang Xiaoli, a traditional Chinese incense artist, guided participants in crafting rabbit-shaped scented sachets. They filled the pouches with classic ingredients such as agarwood, clove, angelica root, and cinnabar, along with mugwort, osmanthus, jasmine, and lavender. Guests joyfully admired their handmade sachets, breathing in the calming fragrances while listening to stories about China’s rich incense culture, wondering who among their loved ones would receive this special gift. Each naturally elegant, ever-changing indigo-dyed cloth and every richly fragrant Chinese sachet embodied both the warmth of international participants and the artistry of Chinese heritage inheritors…

“Sorry, this event is exclusively for women. Men are not allowed, not even staff members. Thank you for your understanding,” said Aisha, Executive Manager of the Sharjah Ladies Club. With that, the director of the center was cheerfully stopped at the entrance by a “Men Not Allowed” sign. On May 17, 2025, at the invitation of the Sharjah Ladies Club, the China Cultural Center in the UAE held the Chinese Culture and Tourism Festival in Sharjah. The event featured a wide range of interactive experiences, including traditional Chinese lantern-making workshops, calligraphy and tea appreciation, Chinese character henna tattoos, and lucky red envelope draws. A traditional dragon drum performance, guzheng music, and classical Chinese dance delighted the audience. Emirati women and children, many dressed in Chinese-inspired outfits and accessories, joined in the performances with enthusiasm. The Hanfu (traditional Chinese attire) experience area dazzled visitors with its elegance. The Jingdezhen “Linglong porcelain” on display under special lighting drew amazement from children. Panda-themed blind boxes sold out quickly, prompting vendors to exclaim that they had underestimated the demand. A young girl named Fatima efficiently coordinated her family: her mother queued for blind boxes, her sister for fried and spicy skewers, while Fatima herself waited for snowflake crisps and glutinous rice lemon tea. Nearby, Latifa and Mohammed argued over the ownership of a Chinese folding fan. After eating their fill, they joined Aisha’s younger brother in a spirited game of Chinese shuttlecock. The three Sharjah children even held their own “Sharjah Cup” shuttlecock tournament. Sheikha, Vice Chairwoman of the Sharjah Ladies Club, explained that following the success of Japanese and Korean cultural festivals in recent years, club members had been eager to experience a Chinese cultural tourism festival. Many hoped to learn more about Chinese culture and destinations with plans to travel to China with their families. Collaborating with the China Cultural Center and various Chinese food and cultural vendors in the UAE laid the foundation for this event. However, it was the Emirati women’s genuine interest and deep affection for Chinese culture that made the event a true success. “Founded in 1982, the Sharjah Ladies Club is the UAE’s first comprehensive institution dedicated to women and children. Under the patronage and guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, the club is committed to its vision of ‘inspiring women towards excellence.’ Through professional training, leadership development programs, and cultural and artistic initiatives, the club empowers women in their personal growth and participation in society.”

On the occasion of “May 19 China Tourism Day,” the China Cultural Center in the UAE will launch a series of three events from May 17 to May 27, combining Chinese tourism, art, and intangible cultural heritage experiences, inviting local audiences to immerse themselves in Chinese culture and tourism resources. 1. Abu Dhabi Chinese Culture and Tourism Festival On May 17, 2025, the Center will co-host the Abu Dhabi Chinese Culture and Tourism Festival with the Sharjah Ladies Club. The event will feature tourism promotions, dragon and drum performances, tea art tastings, calligraphy workshops, lantern-making workshops, and lucky red envelope prize draws. The event is open to the public, and female guests are especially welcome to attend and participate (entry is limited to women and boys under 8 years old). Event Time:May 17, 17:00–22:00 Event Location:Sharjah Ladies Club Admission Fee for Non-Club Members:AED 50 per person (ages 10 and above), half price for children under 10 Special Gift:The first 100 guests to arrive will receive a complimentary traditional Chinese dessert. For more information, please scan the QR code below or click the event link: https://shorturl.at/abMyB 2. “Harmony through Tea” – A Refined Gathering to Savor the Essence of Chinese Tea Art and Appreciate the Timeless Beauty of Indigo Dyeing From May 19 to 21, 2025, the Embassy of China in the UAE, the China Cultural Center in the UAE, and the Sino-Foreign Cultural Exchange Center will jointly host the 2025 “Harmony through Tea” · Refined Gathering event in collaboration with the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation in Abu Dhabi. Centered around Chinese tea culture, the event will also feature the “Taste of Nature · Encounter with China Blue” workshop, showcasing the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese indigo dyeing. By integrating traditional dyeing arts, the event highlights the unique charm of Eastern aesthetics and promotes China-UAE cultural exchange from a global artistic perspective. Public Day:May 20 (Open to the public) Venue:Bassam Freiha Art Foundation Activities: Registration Method:Please leave a message via our official account. The Center will randomly select lucky followers to receive admission invitations. 3. “A Cross-Sea Encounter: Stories of Cultural Exchange in the Forbidden City” Workshop From May 26 to May 27, the Center, in collaboration with the UAE’s “Hundred Schools Project” demonstration schools for Chinese teaching, the Palace Museum in China, and the Sino-Foreign Cultural Exchange Center, will jointly launch the workshop “A Cross-Sea Encounter: Stories of Cultural Exchange in the Forbidden City.” The workshop will visit two schools in the UAE. Using the Palace Museum’s collections of blue-and-white porcelain and clocks as a medium, experts from the Palace Museum will guide UAE students to explore fascinating chapters of cultural exchange between the East and the West. This series of events for “May 19 China Tourism Day” is not only a concentrated showcase of Chinese culture and tourism resources but also a vivid practice of cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and the Arab world. The China Cultural Center in the UAE looks forward to building a bridge for heartfelt communication between China and the UAE through close cooperation with local institutions, enabling more friends in the UAE to get closer to China, understand China, and fall in love with China. Everyone is warmly encouraged to actively participate and embark on this cultural journey together!

“I must visit China immediately — I simply can’t wait,” said Vivian Kobe at the China pavilion after experiencing a virtual reality showcase chronicling Guangzhou’s historical legacy and modern development in South China’s Guangdong province. As a trade delegate to Arabian Travel Market 2025 — the Middle East’s premier travel trade fair held in Dubai from April 28 to May 1 — she joined over 55,000 industry professionals and 2,800 exhibitors from 166 countries. “This immersive experience gave me profound insights into China despite never having visited,” said Kobe, who runs a travel agency in Kisumu, Kenya. “Guangzhou now tops my must-visit list among Chinese cities.” Titled Guangfumenghualu, meaning dream of Guangzhou, the VR production vividly juxtaposes the city’s heritage as the Maritime Silk Road’s origin point with its cutting-edge urban development. Zhong Kai, a China pavilion representative from Guangzhou, said the film uses the same groundbreaking visual technology behind globally acclaimed works such as Nezha 2 and Black Myth: Wukong. The “Nihao China”-themed pavilion, curated by the UAE China Cultural Center, spotlights cutting-edge inbound tourism services alongside an exclusive exhibition zone for intangible cultural heritage artifacts. Liu Yang, director of the cultural institute, said the delegation comprised seven government tourism bodies and 26 enterprises from 13 regions presenting a unified national showcase. “While Middle Eastern destinations attract growing numbers of Chinese visitors, tourist flows in the reverse direction remain modest. That’s precisely why we’re here to promote China’s tourism offerings,” he said. The pavilion has generated 150 formal inquiries for group itineraries, according to the cultural center, with premium business tours and customized packages for the Greater Bay Area, Yangtze River Delta and Southwest China dominating demand. Liang Jiexian, who works for a travel agency in Shenzhen, said most tourists from the Middle East visit Guangdong for business, especially for exhibitions like the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair. Since late 2023, China’s unilateral visa-waiver program has permitted 30-day visa-free stays for ordinary passport holders from 38 nations. “China’s groundbreaking tourism initiatives are setting remarkable benchmarks,” said Abdulla Yousuf, director of travel trade and markets development for the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, the Middle East is emerging as an important destination for Chinese outbound travelers, buoyed by exotic cultural offerings, tourist-friendly infrastructure, and strengthening bilateral relations. Capitalizing on the strategic partnerships between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council members, where China ranks among the top three tourism markets, Abu Dhabi is intensifying its appeal to Chinese visitors through tailored initiatives. “Our market analysis revealed young Chinese women as primary travel decision-makers,” Yousuf said. “That’s why we selected Chinese actress Liu Yifei as our global tourism ambassador.” Dubai remains the gateway for Chinese travelers, welcoming 824,000 visitors in 2024, a 31 percent year-on-year surge. The tourism sector is one of the key pillars for Dubai’s new economic agenda called “D33” as the emirate seeks economic diversification and to become one of the top tourism destinations, said Shahab Abdulla Shayan, regional director for Asia Pacific International Operations Department at Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing. “Our enhanced 90-day visa-on-arrival policy, combined with full support on Chinese payment systems such as WeChat Pay, Alipay and UnionPay, and 15 direct flight routes, including Emirates’ newly launched Dubai-Shenzhen service, positions Dubai for sustained growth in the China market,” Shayan said. For Qatar, the Chinese market now ranks among the top 10 inbound tourism destinations, said Jassim Mahmoud, director of communications and public relations at Visit Qatar. He said negotiations for a GCC Unified Visa which would allow single-entry access to all six member states, are “advancing”. “If GCC members adopt this policy, I think Chinese people will go to countries as a package. I want the number of Chinese tourists to increase 100 times.”

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