Dubai, UAE – October 8, 2024
A major initiative aimed at fostering deeper tourism ties between China and Arab nations was unveiled at the “Nihao! China — Ten Million Tourists Exchange Plan” promotional event in Dubai. Organized by the UAE China Cultural Center, the gathering brought together over 80 representatives from 15 leading airlines and 30 prominent tourism companies from both regions, underscoring the growing focus on enhancing tourism collaboration.
10 Million Tourists: A Vision for the Next Five Years
China’s Consul General in Dubai, Ou Boqian, highlighted the ambitious goal of 10 million mutual tourist visits between China and Arab countries over the next five years, as announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum.
In her keynote address, Consul General Ou emphasized the transformative role of tourism in fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding:
“We hope tourism professionals from China and the UAE will work together to encourage visitors from across the globe, including our Emirati friends, to explore China’s unique cultural heritage, witness its rapid development, and experience the hospitality of the Chinese people.”
Promoting Chinese Tourism and Breaking Barriers
The event outlined key aspects of the “Ten Million Tourists Exchange Plan” and included a preview of the upcoming 2024 China International Travel Mart, which extends invitations to global tourism stakeholders. Attendees engaged in discussions on enhancing Gulf country tourism to China, informed by the latest studies and route recommendations tailored for Gulf travelers.
Representatives from China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism presented new policies aimed at addressing bottlenecks in inbound tourism, with measures designed to improve travel convenience and elevate the quality of services for international visitors.
Forging Industry Collaborations
Participants included leading airlines such as Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Saudia, and Gulf Air. Travel giants like Kanoo Group, Al Rais Travel, and E-STAR Travel added weight to discussions on collaborative strategies to boost tourism between China and the Middle East.
This gathering underscored a shared commitment to enhancing connectivity and opening new avenues for travel and cultural exchange. By leveraging these partnerships, the initiative aims to make the ambitious goal of 10 million tourist visits a reality, marking a new chapter in China-Arab relations.
