Wednesday, September 25, 2024 As global travel slowly returns to normal, the number of Chinese tourists heading abroad is expected to exceed 130 million this year—a remarkable 50% increase from last year. However, despite this growth, outbound travel has yet to fully rebound to pre-pandemic levels. Interestingly, many Chinese travelers are now forgoing traditional Western destinations in favor of Middle Eastern countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
These nations are attracting Chinese tourists with their rich cultural heritage, renowned hospitality, and unique attractions. In the first quarter of this year alone, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the Middle East surged by over 50%. Several factors contribute to this boom, including significant investments in tourism infrastructure and enhanced air connectivity between China and Middle Eastern countries, making travel more accessible and convenient.
Earlier this year, Chinese traveler Liang Xuemin visited Dubai, exploring iconic landmarks such as Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Liang and her family decided to celebrate the Spring Festival—commonly known as Chinese New Year—in the UAE after discovering that air tickets to Dubai were significantly cheaper than to China’s popular tropical destination, Hainan Island. “Round-trip tickets to Hainan during the Spring Festival were priced between 5,000 to 6,000 yuan (US$712 to US$855),” said Lia.