Tang Li 654030846@qq.com A TOURISIM delegation visited Shenzhen last week to help boost awareness about Abu Dhabi, the largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as a holiday destination for Chinese travelers. The delegation was led by the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and included Etihad Airways, hotels, attractions and tour operators. Shenzhen was the second leg of the annual roadshow, and the “Discover Abu Dhabi” promotion was first made in Chengdu in Southwest Sichuan Province and finally wrapped up in Beijing. According to the organizer, China has become one of the largest international tourist source markets for Abu Dhabi, with the emirate welcoming 401,316 Chinese hotel guests in 2018. June 2019 figures reveal a 21.8 percent increase in visitors from China compared to 2018, with the first six months of 2019 having already seen 209,000 Chinese visit the emirate. The DCT is aiming for 600,000 Chinese hotel guests a year by 2021. Several tourist attractions and hotels across the emirate have already received the China Tourism Academy’s Welcome Chinese Certification, awarded to destinations offering high-quality services to Chinese visitors, including Mandarin-speaking staff, while recent legislation now allows Chinese visitors to receive a visa on arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport, making the process of staying in Abu Dhabi even easier. Many leading destinations and hotels across Abu Dhabi also now accept China Union Pay bank cards, making it easier for Chinese tourists to stay and travel. “Our priority will be engaging key Chinese tour operators and acquiring new business contacts, introducing them to our latest tourism products and attractions. We look forward to further promoting Abu Dhabi’s unique offerings and cultural experiences, packaged to appeal to all types of Chinese visitors,” said Saeed Rashed Al Saeed with the Destination Marketing Department at DCT Abu Dhabi. | 