The trade group representing the U.S. airline industry is asking the federal government to pause the expansion of passenger flights to China due to the “existing harmful anti-competitive policies of the Chinese government.”
27.03.2024 - 07:51 / skift.com / Peden Doma Bhutia
Chinese outbound tourism is steadily rebounding from the effects of the pandemic, with projections indicating a return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2025.
Research conducted by Dragon Trail International suggests that China’s outbound tourism is expected to reach approximately 80% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year.
According to China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, there were 3.6 million outbound trips taken during the Chinese new year period, which is just 57% of 2019’s 6.3 million trips.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is emerging as a key destination for Chinese travelers, alongside traditionally popular outbound markets like Thailand and Malaysia, according to data from online travel agencies Ctrip, Tongcheng, Tuniu, Mafengwo, and Zuzuche.
“The UAE’s visa-free policy for Chinese visitors, coupled with robust flight connections, contributes to its appeal,” said Sienna Parulis-Cook, director of marketing and communications of Dragon Trail.
Chinese actress Liu Yifei was appointed as the tourism ambassador for UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, last year. The Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism showcased a promotional video featuring Liu on China’s equivalent of Twitter, Weibo. In a week, the video garnered 7.9 million views and was shared 32,000 times.
Mafengwo’s list of top 20 outbound destinations with increasing demand for Chinese New Year compared to one year earlier includes the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and Morocco. All of these five countries offer visa-free entry or visas on arrival to Chinese citizens.
Qunar reported that outbound orders for the UAE, Egypt, and Morocco were three times higher than the year before, with a 10-fold increase for Dubai.
Fliggy reported that travel orders for Egypt increased by 15 times year on year. And Zuzuche’s top 10 outbound destinations with the highest growth rates for car rentals included Abu Dhabi and Riyadh.
Research by Oxford Economics suggests that outbound travel from China will nearly double in 2024 compared to the previous year, with the Middle East expected to lead the global recovery in Chinese inbound tourism.
ForwardKeys’ data indicates that Chinese arrivals to the Middle East have already surpassed 2019 levels, with Cairo experiencing a notable increase in arrivals.
The Arabian Travel Market in Dubai taking place from May 6 anticipates twice the number of Chinese exhibitors and travel professionals, compared to its 2019 show.
Furthermore, the relaxation of visa requirements in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand has also contributed to increased Chinese tourist arrivals during the Chinese New Year break, as noted by Dragon Trail.
“While 2023 was the year when China reopened following the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, it
The trade group representing the U.S. airline industry is asking the federal government to pause the expansion of passenger flights to China due to the “existing harmful anti-competitive policies of the Chinese government.”
The U.S. airline industry is asking the federal government to pause the expansion of passenger flights to China, citing “anti-competitive policies of the Chinese government.”
Brazil has postponed its travel visa requirements for American visitors until 2025 just as it was set to go into effect.
Thailand is looking to boost tourism across Southeast Asia with a new visa scheme.
A notable demographic shift, particularly among young upwardly mobile women, is driving the recent travel rebound in China. These travelers are researching and booking trips online, often spontaneously.
Spain, one of the Europe’s most popular and successful granters of residency by investment, better known as Golden Visa, has decided to eliminate the program.
Indian online travel agency MakeMyTrip made a push Monday to go global: It has extended its services to over 150 countries, including the UK, Germany, Japan, Italy, and France.
With more than 300 sunny days per year, daytime temps that rarely dip below 65, and an armada of resorts, Phoenix, Arizona is a great getaway for any group gathering that prioritizes pool time, day drinking, and a few rounds of golf. But the city's appeal goes deeper: The area's natural beauty inspired designers and artists like Frank Lloyd Wright, Maxfield Parrish, and Paolo Soleri. And despite its enormous growth (the metro area topped 5 million last year), the increasingly diverse city still retains a frontier spirit: Newcomers are reinventing everything from its food scene to its art circuit, making Phoenix one of America's best under-the-radar destinations.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is projecting a record-breaking year for Travel & Tourism in 2024, with the sector’s global economic contribution set to reach an all-time high of $11.1 trillion. According to the global tourism body’s 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR), Travel & Tourism will contribute an additional $770BN over its previous record, stamping its authority as a global economic powerhouse, generating one in every 10 dollars worldwide.
Just steps from modern Scandinavian waterfront apartments and some of Copenhagen’s most important historic and cultural landmarks lies the enigmatic neighborhood of Christiania.
Fred Dixon is going to be the president and CEO of Brand USA, America’s destination marketing organization, starting July 15. Brand USA made the announcement on Wednesday. Dixon is the CEO and president of NYC Tourism + Conventions.
3,300 departures per week, 160 destinations around the globe.