Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry is heading to China next week, visiting five major cities with a dedicated roadshow aiming to showcase the emirate to the People’s Republic and to reinforce the already rapid growth of inbound tourism from the country.

A 15-strong delegation, led by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and comprising hotels, travel agents, attractions and the country’s national airline Etihad Airways, will visit Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Hong Kong over five days from March 28.

China is the third largest overseas market for Abu Dhabi, with 2015 seeing 177,198 Chinese guest arrivals into Abu Dhabi - an increase of 47 per cent over the previous year – and a 31 per cent increase in guest nights at the emirate’s hotels and hotel apartments, to 263,675.

“It is crucial for us to continue to increase our presence in the Chinese market and boost awareness about the many and varied products we have across the emirate. China is an extremely important overseas source market for us,” said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, director promotions and overseas offices, TCA Abu Dhabi.

“We are still working hard, though, to encourage our Chinese visitors to experience more of our burgeoning tourism offerings and spend longer in the emirate. Last year we welcomed 23 hotels, attractions and experiences into the Welcome Chinese programme in partnership with China Tourism Academy, which has helped boost our inbound numbers considerably, and we hope this roadshow will help translate these impressive inbound numbers into longer stays for our Chinese friends.”

Joining TCA Abu Dhabi will be Emirates Palace hotel; Jannah Hotels and Resorts; Le Royal Meridien Hotel; City Seasons Hotels; Danat Hotels and Resorts; Armed Forces Officers Club; Premier Travel and Tourism; Planet Travels and Tours; Miral Destination Management; Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi; Omeir Holidays; Al Burj Travel and Tours; Al Bada Resort; Arabian Adventures as well as the UAE’s national carrier, Etihad Airways.

While there are already daily flights to Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways from Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai and Hong Kong, from August 1, 2016, the daily service to Shanghai will be upgraded with the introduction of the new 299-seat 787 Dreamliner, which is expected to further boost inbound travel.

“China is a very important market to Etihad Airways. Demand is strong and last year alone, Etihad Airways carried more than 650,000 passengers to and from Greater China,” said Shane O'Hare, senior vice president, Marketing, Etihad Airways.

“We are very pleased to see China has been the best performing market for Abu Dhabi in terms of growth, recording a 47 per cent increase in visitor numbers compared with 2014.”

“As the national airlines of the UAE, we are proud to be coming together with TCA Abu Dhabi as very close partners in promoting Chinese tourism to Abu Dhabi, the capital city of UAE, and the hub of Etihad Airways.”

Rima Rawass, group marketing manager from Danat Hotels & Resorts said: “There are two projects that we are excited to be bringing to the Chinese on this trip; we are fully renovating our Dhafra Beach Hotel property of 100 rooms and adding 100 rooms to the inventory. And as well as this, we are adding 24 chalets to our Danat Jebel Dhanna Resort and three restaurants and health club facilities.

“We are expecting that the Chinese market may increase by 15 per cent in 2016 and expecting more room nights production next year in 2017 since Chinese travellers have varied interests – culture, heritage, cuisine, beach and resorts, golf and shopping  - which they can all find in Abu Dhabi in particular, and the UAE in general.”

Ali Rizvi, general manager from Al Bada Resort, Al Ain’s unique Desert Resort, said: “We are very excited to be involved in the China roadshow organised by TCA Abu Dhabi, and we will be promoting specially designed packages, including half-board and full-board with two-, three- and four-day activities for families within the resort and with partners in Al Ain such as Al Ain Zoo, Hili Fun City, Wadi Adventure and also trips to camel farms. We believe these will prove to be very popular to the Chinese traveller.” - TradeArabia News Service