The UAE and other global markets are eying the Chinese to boost tourism revenues, following a difficult recessionary year that saw cuts in travel expenditures. The US Commerce Department recently completed a study that estimated the average Chinese tourist spends about $7,200 (Dh26,445) per person, per trip, making them the biggest spenders around the world.
Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing earlier this year organized road shows in mainland China, and have hosted Chinese tourist parties for travel agents in media since September. Several weeks ago Japan and the US began promotions to tap into the billion dollar Chinese tourist market with aggressive marketing campaigns. China’s outbound travel is increasing an estimated 12 percent according to research by RNCOS, bringing the total number of Chinese travelers to 45 million between 2005 and 2008. The report attributes the increase mainly to “Sustained economic growth, a rising number of affluent people in total population, and other parameters.”
