TOURISM ON THE MOVE

Several MENA countries are setting strategies to attract an increasing number of Chinese and Russian tourists. The Lebanese Ministry of Tourism is inviting Chinese travel agencies to visit the country to encourage them to set up periodic trips for their clients. The ministry has also given language classes to tour guides to be able to broaden appeal to an increasing number of Russian tourists.

Etihad Airways announced the ‘1,000 Chinese Visitors to Morocco’ campaign with Beijing Yougo World International Travel Service Co. Ltd. (Uniway), the largest Chinese tour operator specializing in outbound tourism to the Middle East and Africa. The airline is joining hands with the Moroccan National Tourist Office to attract 100,000 Chinese visitors each year by 2018. Dubai is witnessing a surge in Russian tourists due to a rebound in the value of the Russian Ruble. Dubai Tourism said Russia is among the emirate’s top 20 source markets. Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has been exploring business opportunities with Russian companies in extractive, primary, food and health industries.