China remains top source of visitors to Abu Dhabi

World
Europe

Some 214,600 Chinese tourists and business travelers visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital Abu Dhabi, representing a 15.8-percent increase year-on-year, the UAE Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) said on July 31.

In total, Abu Dhabi welcomed 2.41 million tourists during the first six months of 2018, a 5-percent growth from the previous year.

DCT said Abu Dhabi also aims to prolong the average stay of Chinese visitors.

Chinese visitors spent an average of 1.5 days in Abu Dhabi, representing the shortest stays among the top source markets. The average for German visitors is 4.6 days, the longest among the top markets.

A desert resort in Abu Dhabi's Empty Quarter. /VCG Photo

In order to lure more Chinese travelers for longer stays, "a rising number of Abu Dhabi's 162 hotels have upgraded their services by offering Chinese food, hiring Chinese-speaking staff and installing TV channels from China, which are conditions to get awarded the internationally recognized 'Welcome Chinese' certificate," said Sultan Al Dhaheri, executive director of the tourism sector of the DCT.

DCT Abu Dhabi also announced a new cooperation with Airbnb in order to promote Abu Dhabi offerings of the newly developer Emirati Experience.

Foreign visitors can access selected Emirati private houses and villas with certified tourist guides to Emirati culture, customs and traditional Arabic food.

In addition, the recently-opened family leisure park Warner Bros World is expected to attract more visitors.

Since the end of 2016, Chinese nationals have obtained visa-on-arrival at UAE airports.

For 2018, the biggest UAE sheikhdom expects a total of 5.5 million foreign visitors.

Source(s): Global Times