The Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA) Abu Dhabi hopes to tap into the affluent middle class in China as the UAE government announces visa on arrival for Chinese nationals.
“With the implementation of the ‘Visa On Arrival’ initiative, we are confident that Abu Dhabi will be able to build on its already growing popularity as an attractive destination for Chinese visitors, especially among the burgeoning affluent middle classes, who are travelling abroad in increasing numbers,” Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director Promotions & Overseas Offices, TCA Abu Dhabi told Gulf News.
He said the emirate has plenty to offer for Chinese visitors, such as the Shaikh Zayed Mosque, Ferrari World theme park and shopping malls and retail outlets.
“There are several locations that accept Union Pay, the Chinese credit card processing system and Mandarin-speaking staff and handbooks are available to help the Chinese visitors.”
The opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum and the planned Warner Brothers theme park on Yas Island will also prove to be extremely popular with Chinese visitors, he said.
Arrivals
In 2015 the Chinese market was the third largest overseas market for visitors to Abu Dhabi, according to figures provided by TCA Abu Dhabi, trailing India and the UK in total number of visitors.
There were 177,198 guest arrivals to Abu Dhabi from China in 2015, which represented a 47 per cent growth from the previous year.
In 2014, the figure was 120,350 and China was ranked as the 6th largest overseas market for the emirate. This was an improvement over the 2013 numbers of 45,259 guest arrivals with China being the 14th largest overseas market for Abu Dhabi.
Chinese visitors also accounted for 263,675 guest nights in 2015, which represented an increase of 31 per cent from 2014, TCA said.
Weekly direct flights between Abu Dhabi and China
Currently, there are 51 weekly direct flights between Abu Dhabi and China by the Abu Dhabi-based national carrier Etihad Airways.
TCA Abu Dhabi expects the visa on arrival initiative will boost the passenger traffic on these flights resulting in increased inbound tourism numbers.