Dubai Tourism is looking to initiate programmes that will ensure the emirate is ‘China Ready’

dubai — Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) has announced a strategic agreement with Chinese conglomerate Tencent that will allow Chinese tourists in Dubai to use the Internet company’s offerings including WeChat and WeChat Pay as an option for mobile payment at local outlets.

In parallel, Dubai Tourism will encourage Dubai merchants to leverage the Tencent Cloud and media solutions to enhance the overall city-experience for Chinese visitors.

Issam Kazim, CEO of DCTCM, said that Tencent is a significant partner for Dubai Tourism with considerable reach in the Chinese market through its widespread digital network solutions. “China is a highly strategic market for us and Dubai Tourism is continually looking to initiate programmes that will enhance our appeal to potential travellers, and ensure the emirate is ‘China Ready’,” he said.

The number of travellers visiting

2.5M Chinese travellers are expected to visit the GCC each year by 2021

the Middle East from China has significantly increased and industry leaders are suggesting that it will only continue to rise. According to the latest first-quarter data compiled by Expedia Group, at least 2.5 million Chinese travellers are expected to visit the GCC each year by 2021.

Paula De Keijzer, senior director of Market Management Middle East, Indian Ocean, Africa, Greece & Turkey at Expedia Group, said: “As seen from the data, there has been a growth in the number of travellers coming from Asia — particularly from China. It is suggested that this growth could be driven by local travel incentives introduced into the region, which include visa on arrival for Chinese visitors and acceptance of Chinese credit cards.”

— rohma@khaleejtimes.com