TALKING POINTS FOR YOUSUF LOOTAH

Talking points for Yousuf Lootah, Acting CEO, Corporate Strategy & Performance, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism

Overview on Dubai’s Tourism Industry

• • We are delighted to be here to strengthen and deepen the dynamic and ongoing relationship that has developed over many years between China and the UAE overall, between all stakeholders, business partners, and all guests from China

• Chinese cities and Dubai have strong relationships when it comes to economics and tourism.

• Dubai has welcomed 6.02M international overnight visitors in January to April 2023, compared to 5.10M tourists in the same period in 2022, an 18% increase YoY 

Focus on Chinese Tourists

• China is one of our key international markets and the Chinese market returned strongly in the first four months  of 2023 ranking 9th in Dubai’s top 10 markets and delivering over 143,000 visitors to the city from January to April this year with a 265 percent increase YoY, paving the way for a strong recovery by this market in 2023 

• We expect a greater influx of Chinese visitors, after China eased Covid-related travel restrictions, and airlines increase the number of international flights.

• Dubai is counting on the resurgence in Chinese traffic to achieve its vision of becoming the world’s most visited international destination .

• We have re-started the B2B and B2C partnerships with Chinese markets and the numbers will reflect this in the coming months