·
2.9
million Chinese tourists will travel to GCC in 2022
·
Saudi
Arabia to experience highest proportionate increase in arrivals from China,
with a projected CAGR of 33% between 2018 and 2022
·
25%
of delegates, exhibitors and attendees were interested in doing business with
China at Arabian Travel Market 2018
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, which takes place at Dubai World Trade
Centre from 28 April – 1 May 2019.
The
latest research from 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.
ATM
– considered by industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and
North Africa tourism sector, welcomed over 39,000 people to its 2018 event,
showcasing the largest exhibition in the history of the show, with hotels
comprising 20% of the floor area.
ATM
2019 will build on the success of this year’s edition with a host of seminar
sessions discussing the ongoing unprecedented digital disruption, and the emergence
of innovative technologies that will fundamentally alter the way in which the
hospitality industry operates in the region.
