On May 27, during the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit, China announced a unilateral visa-free policy for Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, completing full visa exemption coverage for all six GCC countries.Under the guidance and encouragement of the China Cultural Center in the UAE, travel agencies from Gulf countries promptly responded to China’s favorable policy. Leveraging the “China Fever” trending on social media, they launched a series of online promotional campaigns and intensively rolled out inbound tourism packages to China.
Kanoo Travel Group
As one of the largest travel groups in the Gulf region actively developing inbound tourism to China, Kanoo Travel, under the center’s guidance, swiftly coordinated with Chinese suppliers. On May 27, right after China’s visa-free policy for GCC countries was announced, it launched online promotions, becoming one of the first agencies in the Gulf to market tours to China. The company released four new routes targeting residents of the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, offering convenient, diverse, and high-quality Chinese travel experiences.
MPQ Travel
MPQ Travel quickly launched a series of China-bound travel packages, including classic routes such as Xiamen-Quanzhou, Hong Kong-Zhangjiajie-Phoenix Ancient Town, Beijing, and Shanghai-Wuxi-Hangzhou, to meet the diverse travel needs of tourists from the Middle East and the Gulf.
TraveltoChina.ae Platform
Since 2023, a local UAE travel company has been planning a dedicated website for travelers from Gulf countries to visit China. After the visa-free policy was announced, it promptly launched multi-platform online promotions targeting all six GCC countries, offering customized and private China travel routes for high-end Gulf tourists. The campaign will last for three weeks online and is planned to extend to offline promotions in collaboration with the center by June 2025.
Al Rais Travel Group
As one of the largest travel operators in the UAE serving Emirati nationals, Al Rais Travel has prioritized the launch of premium travel products focused on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. By integrating diverse Chinese tourism resources, it offers Gulf visitors a “Greater Bay Area+” travel experience. The group also plans to collaborate with the China Cultural Center in the UAE to launch offline marketing campaigns and new inbound travel products in October.
Cathay Pacific Airways
Leveraging its route network, Cathay Pacific has launched various travel products to China, particularly involving the Greater Bay Area. It also offers special services for participants attending the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair).
Harvey, CEO of Kanoo Travel Group, stated: “We highly appreciate the Chinese government’s open and inclusive visa policy. It creates new opportunities for China-Arab cooperation. Under the support of the China Cultural Center in the UAE, Kanoo will continue to act as a bridge and an active promoter of people-to-people exchanges between China and the Gulf, and between China and the Arab world.”
Abdullah Matar, a well-known Emirati travel blogger currently participating in the “Hello, China!” influencer tour in China, posted a video comment on social media immediately after learning about the new policy. He said, “This is a huge benefit for travelers from Gulf countries, including the UAE. Now you just need your passport to travel to China.”
