Key Chinese outbound travel conference returns to Abu Dhabi

The key conference for travel industry professionals looking to capture more business from China is returning to Abu Dhabi this August for the fourth year in a row, boasting a new name - Meet China.

Formerly the Chinese Visitor Summit, the rebranded B2B networking forum which focuses on increasing visitor numbers from the People' s Republic will bring representatives from hotels, travel agencies, tour operators,? airlines and leisure and entertainment venues from the MENA region together in the UAE capital from August 31- September 1.

Backed by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the event is being organised by npimedia, in association with Highway Tourism, one of the leading UAE-based DMCs catering to Chinese visitors in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and aims to host 65 top-tier travel-buyers from mainland China, representatives from Taiwan, and also members of the Chinese media to cover the event.

'Every hosted Chinese buyer is motivated to grow their business to the MENA region,' said Rob Nicholas, Managing Director, npimedia. In addition, we are pleased to welcome a delegation of 10 carefully selected buyers from Taiwan who represent companies that would like to open up their outbound business to the MENA region using the UAE as a hub and key attraction.' The Chinese Travel Buyers delegation, which will be based at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, , Beach Rotana and The Eastern Mangroves Hotel and Spa by Anantara will be made up of a carefully selected and highly qualified group of buyers representing the FIT/Leisure and MICE market and the Online digital travel market in China, with attendees including Nanhu, GZL, U-tour, Everbright, CITS, Comfort, Meiya, One-tour and BTG.

TCA Abu Dhabi is once again backing the summit and will host a gala dinner for delegates together with Emirates Palace as well as destination familiarisation activities for the Chinese media.

'We are planning a tantalising taster tour for our guests while they are here,?' said Sultan Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director Tourism, TCA Abu Dhabi. China is our third biggest overseas market for tourists and one of the most sought-after outbound tourism markets on the planet, making Chinese traveller's business keenly contested.' 'But we are sure we have outstanding and enticing propositions in Abu Dhabi, and that Meet China will persuade these top buyers that when it comes to delivering top-tier travel experiences, we check all the right boxes.' 'While they are here we will give them a taste of the most iconic and evocative options the emirate offers, from the cultural and architectural grandeur of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to the fascinating and award-winning Falcon Hospital.' 'And, as were well aware that Chinese travellers have shopping high on visit itineraries we have, throughout the emirate, the full range of shopping options – from mid-range malls to ultra-luxurious malls where the very finest brands are available. Yas Mall, our latest and largest shopping nexus is now firmly established as a favourite location for an outstanding shopping experience.' 'We'll also give the Chinese media delegates a chance to explore a more traditional shopping experience, with our Central Market complex boasting a superb souk and the Date Market near Mina Port one of the stops we have planned during the Meet China event.

We are aware that we have a challenge in building the number of nights Chinese guests are staying with us. It currently averages just short of one and a half nights - and we want that to grow through increased awareness of our world-class product and higher visibility of our destination profile within the People's Republic,' he added.

In the first six months of this year, some 102,217 Chinese guests checked into Abu Dhabi's hotels and hotel apartments which was a huge 72% jump on figures from January to June 2014. The Chinese guests delivered 148,842 guest nights, which was a leap of 41% year-on-year. The figures make China Abu Dhabi's third largest overseas source market.

Meet China will enhance other emirate-wide initiatives that we have initiated to grow business from China, added Al Dhaheri. These include the Welcome Chinese Certifications, the Chinese travel industry's highly sought-after certification recognising tourism providers with services dedicated to Chinese travellers, which Abu Dhabi joined this year, becoming the first destination within the Middle East and North Africa region to participate in the programme. Already, 22 hotels, two attractions and a luxury shopping mall across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi have achieved Welcome Chinese certification.