The number of Chinese tourists traveling abroad could reach 80% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year and return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2025, according to research by Dragon Trail International, a tourism development solutions provider in China.
According to online travel agencies such as Ctrip, Tong Cheng, Tuniu, Mafengwo and Zuzuche, the UAE is a new favorite destination for Chinese tourists, alongside traditional outbound markets such as Thailand and Malaysia. Research by Oxford Economics also shows that the Middle East region promises to lead the recovery wave of Chinese outbound tourism this year.
Chinese tourists have flocked to Vietnam in recent days.
Last year, Liu Yifei, one of China's top actresses, was appointed as the Tourism Ambassador for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi's tourism authority released a promotional video featuring Liu Yifei, which garnered 7.9 million views and 32,000 shares in just one week.
The list of 20 favorite destinations for Chinese tourists during the Lunar New Year, published by Mafengwoo, also showed the growth of countries that offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival services to Chinese tourists, such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Morocco.
Data from ForwardKeys shows that Chinese tourist arrivals to the Middle East have surpassed 2019 levels, with the Egyptian capital Cairo being the most important destination. In May, the Arab Travel Market in Dubai saw a doubling of Chinese exhibitors and travel professionals compared to 2019.
Since the beginning of the year, the number of Chinese tourists entering Vietnam has increased compared to previous years. Specifically, the Mong Cai International Border Guard Station has processed entry procedures for more than 141,000 Chinese tourists from January to early March. After the full moon of the first lunar month, the number of Chinese tourists entering the country has increased, averaging about 2,000 people per day.
The number of Chinese tourists traveling abroad is expected to continue to explode during the 5-day Labor Day holiday starting on May 1. This event will open the summer tourist season - the time when Chinese tourists like to travel internationally the most.
