Current location:style >>
Middle East nations to enhance tourism ties with China
style69People have gathered around
IntroductionCountries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, are working to strengthen their part ...
Countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, are working to strengthen their partnership with China in the tourism sector, which holds significant potential for growth between the two regions.
"China is one of the most critical and important markets for Saudi Arabia, especially to achieve its 2030 vision. It's going to be (one of) the top two source markets," said Alhasan Aldabbagh, president of Asia-Pacific markets at the Saudi Tourism Authority.
Saudi Arabia unveiled its ambitious economic diversification plan, Vision 2030, in 2016 with a focus on tourism. The target is to attract 150 million visitors by 2030 and have tourism contribute to 10 percent of its GDP. Among the total number of visitors, the kingdom aims to attract 3 million visitors from China by 2030.
"We understand the importance (of Chinese tourists). We understand what Chinese travelers are looking for, and we would love to welcome them to experience a true home in Saudi Arabia," Aldabbagh told China Daily.
Noting the high potential for growth, the official said, by 2030, India will be the first market of inbound tourism for Saudi Arabia, followed by China.
According to the tourism authority, more than 4.1 million travelers from the Asia-Pacific region visited Saudi Arabia in the first eight months of this year, a 15 percent jump from the same period in 2019. The country is aiming to welcome at least 7.9 million visitors from the region this year.
Philip Dickinson, vice-president of international markets at Qatar Tourism, said Qatar is investing heavily into promoting itself in China, hoping to take advantage of the tourism boom brought by its hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to increase Chinese tourists' awareness of the country.
"We have 15 priority markets globally and China is one of them, being placed in the 'tier one' group," he said.
Dickinson said tourism authorities of the Middle Eastern country are adopting a "360-degree approach" to attract more foreign travelers from the "tier one" group markets, which cover some 24 countries. The comprehensive strategy aims to reach out to international tourists, both by working with industry players and by increasing the country's exposure directly to individuals.
"We have dedicated representative offices in those markets, and we have a larger percentage of our overall marketing spending on campaigns in those markets as well. We also additionally do tactical campaigns there," Dickinson said.
These campaigns, he added, cover consumer marketing and public relations across different digital and social channels.
Chinese tourists have shown much enthusiasm for traveling to Qatar, particularly after the country became the first in the Middle East to host the soccer World Cup last year.
According to statistics from Qatar Tourism, 67,000 tourists from China visited Qatar in 2019 before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of Chinese travelers to Qatar reached 40,000 over the first eight months of this year.
China announced an expansion to the list of outbound destinations for tour groups in August, covering 78 destinations worldwide including Qatar, which has laid the groundwork for growth of Chinese tourists to the Gulf nation.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Worldly Wisdom news portal”。http://sierraleone.downmusic.org/content-66d099859.html
Related articles
Hilarious moment mother asks her Cocker Spaniel to help choose her lottery numbers
styleThis is the hilarious moment a woman enlisted the help of her Cocker Spaniel to help choose her lott ...
【style】
Read moreStrictly star Nadiya Bychkova reveals she doesn't know if she's on the show's 2024 line
styleStrictly star Nadiya Bychkova has revealed she doesn't know if she's secured a place on the BBC show ...
【style】
Read moreTamara Ecclestone is criticised as her daughter Fifi, 10, heads out wearing heavy make
styleTamara Ecclestone has been criticised after her 10-year-old daughter Fifi headed out wearing heavy m ...
【style】
Read more
Popular articles
- Queen Camilla reveals she's seen the first season of Bridgerton
- It's no wonder parents are taking their children on holiday during term time! Sky
- Arrest Lord Mountbatten's self
- Who is Abi Carter? Inside the American Idol winner's unconventional family life
- Brewers starter Joe Ross leaves after first inning vs. Marlins with lower back strain
- Germany's foreign minister visits Kyiv as Ukraine battles to hold off a Russian offensive
Latest articles
Demi Moore, 61, says full
Australia, New Zealand send planes to evacuate nationals from New Caledonia
IF starring Ryan Reynolds lands at the top of a lackluster box office with less
IF starring Ryan Reynolds lands at the top of a lackluster box office with less
Colin Jost left red
Abbey Clancy, 38, shows off a new set of train track braces as she's left red
LINKS
- YouTube blocks Hong Kong protest anthem after court injunction bans song
- Tesla's new mega factory project in Shanghai granted construction permit
- Special bonds aim to promote demand, growth
- Real Madrid presents Spanish league trophy to fans and then routs Alaves 5
- Woman pleads guilty to plotting with a neo
- Giants' Jung Hoo Lee has structural damage in injured left shoulder, will seek second opinion
- YouTube blocks Hong Kong protest anthem after court injunction bans song
- How to watch the Preakness Stakes
- Latest US inflation report may provide clues to future path of prices and interest rates
- Serena Williams to host 2024 ESPYs in July