Dubai hotels must be 'China-ready' to cater for influx of tourists, expert says

Economists said the number of Chinese visitors would swell to tens of thousands in the first quarter of this year

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  Visitors relax at the Air India stand at the Arabian Travel Market at Dubai World Trade Centre. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Performers entertain the crowds at the bustling conference. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  First lieutenant Mohamed Ebrahim Al Suwaidi displays Dubai Police's Audi RS e-tron GT sports car. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  The Dubai pavilion is a big draw. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Inside the Dubai pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Flydubai cabin crew member Federica shows off business class seats at the airline's stand. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A submarine in the seaworld section of the trade show. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Inside the seaworld submarine. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A basketballer publicises the NBA pre-season games between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves in Abu Dhabi in October. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Owls and birds of prey are a big attraction at the Abu Dhabi stand at the Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National

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  About 34,000 visitors are expected to visit Dubai World Trade Centre during the four days of the conference. Pawan Singh / The National

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  The Emirates airways stand at the Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Busy halls at the Arabian Travel Market, now in its 30th year. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Visitors at the Etihad stand. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Mascots walk the green carpet at the conference. Pawan Singh / The National

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  The Iraqi Tourist Board's stand at the Arabian Travel Market at the World Trade Centre in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A visitor looks at an artwork at the Swiss Tourism stand at the conference, which is celebrating its 30th year. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A bald eagle at the Experience Abu Dhabi stand at the conference, which runs from May 1 to May 4. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Traditional Sri Lankan dress at the Arabian Travel Market. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Visit Qatar's stand. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  The conference's theme for 2023 is Working Towards Net Zero. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Traditional Sri Lankan dress. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Model planes on display at the Saudia Airlines stand. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dubai's hospitality industry must become “China-ready” as the Asian country reopens following years of Covid-19 related travel restrictions.

A senior figure in the region’s tourism sector said hotels had to be prepared for an influx of visitors from China.

This included providing menus written in Mandarin, as well as having at least one employee who spoke the language and offering favourite Chinese dishes at buffets.

It was announced earlier this year that China was open again for tourism, with the UAE being seen as a key destination for visitors from there.

“We are very aggressive about being China-ready,” said William Harley-Fleming, vice-president of operations for UAE firm JA Resorts.

“That includes making sure we have Mandarin speakers on the team and the menus are available in Mandarin.

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  Chinese tourists enjoy the sights of Abu Dhabi at the UAE Heritage Village. Victor Besa / The National

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  Meraas launched ‘Hala China’, a programme to showcase Dubai and the UAE to Chinese tourists, before the coronavirus pandemic hit global travel. The National

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  Chinese tourists from Beijing enjoy the Abu Dhabi winter weather in 2018. Victor Besa / The National

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  Passengers at Beijing Capital International Airport after Chinese authorities announced an end to travel restrictions in place to contain Covid-19. EPA

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  Passengers get set to board flights in Beijing. EPA

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  Tourists from China head for the Gold Souk, one of the most popular spots in the UAE. Victor Besa / The National

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  Chinese visitors use skateboards on a sand dune in Al Ain. AFP

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  Chinese dancers at the China pavilion in Global Village, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Visitors try on jewellery at the China pavilion in Global Village, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

“It’s about making sure the experience is tailored towards that market. An example is having dim sum available on the breakfast menu, that’s not something you expect from other markets.”

He was making his comments on the side lines of the opening day of the Arabian Travel Market, which is being held at Dubai World Trade Centre until Thursday.

The rise in the number of visitors from China mirrored a report earlier this year in The National.

Economists and tourism experts predicted the number of visitors from China would swell to tens of thousands in the first quarter of 2023, boosted by direct flights to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

“It’s important we adapt and react to patterns so we are ready,” said Mr Harley-Fleming.

“We need have the key touch points tailored to the Chinese market, that includes everything from the arrival at the airport, arriving at the front desk, pronouncing their names — right down to room service.

“We have to look at what they would expect and provide it.”

Hoteliers in Dubai, and across the UAE, would be well placed to cater for visitors from China, according to another expert.

“The opening of China is going to be a game changer for us,” said Haitham Mattar, managing director in the Middle East, Africa and south-west Asia for IHG Hotels and Resorts.

“However, Dubai has led the way since many years ago when it started catering for Chinese markets."

Haitham Mattar, managing director in the Middle East, Africa and South West Asia for IHG Hotels and Resorts. Photo: IHG

Another tourism expert said travellers from China were also showing more concern for sustainable tourism than before.

“Sustainable travel is without doubt a key priority for the Chinese market,” said Inge Huijbrechts, global senior vice president for responsible business and safety and security with Radisson Hotel Group.

A report released earlier this year by online travel agency Trip.com showed the vast majority of Chinese tourists saw sustainable travel as a priority.

The number of those who saw sustainable travel as a priority was 85 per cent, with 60 per cent saying they were concerned about climate change.

However, the same report said many Chinese tourists were unwilling to have to pay more to travel sustainably.