How Can the UAE Attract More Chinese Tourists? Should the UAE Hospitality Industry be Targeting ? | Page 4

How to attract Chinese tourists?
1) Provide affordable hotel options
China’s middle class is growing, creating an increased demand for travel. According to
the China National Tourism Administration, more middle-class tourists from China in Q4
2017 led to an increased demand for affordable hotels. As a result, mid-range hotels
experienced a 7.2% increase in room occupancy whereas high-end hotels only
experienced a 0.7% increase. The UAE should therefore focus on building and
promoting affordable hotels and encourage budget hotel chains such as YO!
Company’s Yotel to open in the country.
2) Be present on Chinese social media channels
The average Chinese tourist is said to begin research for trips 3 months in advance.
Research suggests that 38 per cent of these tourists use social media as part of their
research process. WeChat and Weibo are some of the most popular social media
platforms in China and visibility of destination cities on these platforms is therefore
crucial. Weibo is considered to be the Chinese equivalent of Twitter. Destinations could
set up accounts to share pictures of attractions that may appeal to Chinese tourists.
They could also create partnerships with Chinese social media influencers.