The number of Chinese tourists travelling to the GCC is expected to increase 54 per cent to 2.2 million by 2023, according to data published ahead of Arabian Travel Market 2020.
As destinations from across the globe prepare to showcase their latest offering at Arabian Travel Market, Colliers International predicts China will maintain its position as a top source market across the GCC.
This is particularly the case in the UAE, where Chinese visitors are currently the second and fourth highest ranked source markets for Abu Dhabi and Dubai, respectively.
Adding to this, the data predicts the UAE will continue to be the preferred GCC destination for Chinese tourists, welcoming a projected 1.9 million visitors by 2023.
Saudi Arabia will follow, with one million visitors, while Oman will welcome 76,900, Bahrain 26,300 and Kuwait 2,800.
Danielle Curtis, exhibition director, Middle East, Arabian Travel Market, said: “China’s links with the GCC have strengthened in recent years due to the introduction of additional and direct airline routes; relaxed visa regulations; the strong growth of the Chinese economy and Chinese tourists’ increasing disposable income.
“The recent influx in Chinese visitors to the GCC shows no sign of abating as we look…
