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.
“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."
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.
RESULTS
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Winner Thabet Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)
5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Blue Diamond, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6.30pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Shoja’A Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Heros De Lagarde, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m
Winner Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
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if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
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