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DUBAI / WAM
The number of Chinese tourists travelling to the GCC is expected to increase 81 percent 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 April 28 to May 1, 2019.
The latest research from Colliers International, in partnership with ATM 2019, reveals that the GCC countries currently attract 1 percent 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.
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 percent 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.
The UAE will follow with a forecasted CAGR of 13 percent, Oman at 12 percent and both Bahrain and Kuwait will stea-dily increase their Chinese visitor arrivals with a growth of 7 percent.
In the UAE, China is the fifth largest source market behind India, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Oman.