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China's major commercial and industrial cities are regular stomping grounds for many business travellers operating out of the Middle East, but the country is yet to attract high volumes of holidaymakers from the region.
In fact, the China National Tourist Office (CNTO) does not report arrival figures from the Middle East, but lumps them into the "other" category with other miniscule source markets.
Official statistics reveal around 50% of China's tourist arrivals are from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan and the remainder are primarily from neighbouring countries. The biggest source market in 2005 was the Republic of Korea with approximately 3.5 million tourists, followed by Japan (3.4 million), Russia (2.2 million), and the US (1.6 million). The most important source markets in Europe are Great Britain (0.5 million), Germany (0.4 million), and France (0.3 million).
However, with mainstream tour operators such as Emirates Holidays and Qatar Airways offering an increasing number of attractively-priced easy-to-sell packages to the republic, and more niche tour operators entering the market with tailor made options, a boom in leisure traffic from the Middle East to China is on the cards.
And, with both Chinese and Middle East carriers adding new services and upping frequencies to several cities across the vast country, travel agents are advised to start improving their product knowledge on what China has to offer.
In terms of business travel, a surge in demand for China is anticipated following news last month that two joint ventures between ExxonMobil, Saudi Aramco, Sinopec and Fujian Province had been approved by the Chinese government, marking the first time foreign companies have been allowed to invest in Chinese petrochemical projects. The agreement will see the creation of two joint venture companies that will build and operate integrated oil refining, petrochemicals and fuel marketing projects with a combined value of US $5 billion.
This will no doubt pave the way for more projects of similar size and scope, opening up business travel opportunities galore.
"In the last few years, China has changed from a relatively isolated country into a key country with a leading role in today's economics and world politics," says Juergen Kremer, director of the China division of one of the world's largest tour operators, TUI.
"[But] for tourists, the real fascination of the Middle Kingdom lies elsewhere: China is one of the few countries in the world that still retains some mystery of the traditional. It offers sprawling modern cities, beautiful landscapes of all kinds, a history and culture that are more than 5000 years old, delicious cuisine, wonderful beaches and, last but not least, fascinating people."
Kremer says now is the best time to travel to China as Beijing is preparing for the 2008 Olympic Games and Shanghai for the 2010 World Expo.
Tourism infrastructure
According to the CNTO "visitors are often surprised to find out how modern China really is". Since the early 90s China has witnessed a building boom and infrastructure upgrade that has raised tourism standards overnight.
"Today, the classical destination cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Guilin, and many others all have a good selection of hotels of all standards available," explains TUI China's Kremer.
"Transportation is also not a major problem. As China is a large country (about the size of Europe), air traffic is the most convenient means of transportation. It is also safe and not very expensive. Aircraft of the major domestic airlines are quite new and offer different classes according to the requirements of passengers."
China's existing 150 airports will expand to 240 by 2010 and Beijing Airport is being renovated to the tune of $2 billion in the run up to the 2008 Olympic Games. Its target is 35 million passengers for 2007, rising to 45 million by 2008.
A sure sign that China is gearing up to become a world-class tourism destination is that international hotel groups are expanding their presence in the country at a rapid pace.
Hotel market research specialist Deloitte estimates that between 10,000 and 25,000 new hotels will be required by 2010, mainly in the budget/mid-market sector - and that's just to keep pace with domestic demand.
Higher up the ladder, The Ritz-Carlton Company L.L.C has six projects on the boil in China, while Hyatt will open 12 new hotels there over during the next three years, including three Park Hyatts, four Grand Hyatts and five Regency hotels in locations spanning Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, Macau, Chongqing, Nanjing, Suzhou, Tianjin and Gauangzhou.
Four Seasons and Conrad both have China properties in the pipeline and Kempinski has just announced its 18th hotel project in the country.
Even Dubai-based luxury hotel group Jumeirah has big plans for China and has already been appointed to manage the five-star HanTang Jumeirah Shanghai, a brand new build that will be part of a 52-hectare mixed-use development in downtown Puxi, Shanghai.
"We will call it a city resort because it will be much more than a corporate hotel," explains Serge Zaalof, senior vice president, Asia Pacific, the Jumeirah Group.
"We will develop a comprehensive spa, as well as spa suites and villas; there is much more fusion between business and leisure properties these days."
Zaalof is confident the property will attract a large Middle East crowd because they are familiar with and trust the Jumeirah brand.
The Shanghai property will cater to Arabic guest requirements and a Lebanese chef is also being employed, he says.
Zaalof says Jumeirah's plan is to operate 13 hotels across Asia by 2011, many of which will be located in China.
"We have to have a hotel in Beijing and Shanghai, but we are also looking at China's secondary cities, which have populations of up to 12 million and will one day evolve to become primary cities for us," he reveals.
"We are also looking at Sanya Island [off the south coast] where there is a mirco-tropical climate."
Must-see attractions
Most of China's classical tourist destinations are located in the east of the country. Tourist favourite Beijing has been the capital of the Middle Kingdom for more than 600 years and its key attractions include the world-famous Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and of course, the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square. Many of Beijing's monuments were built in the Ming and Qing dynasties and are protected UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Traditional Chinese houses are located in the ‘hutong' (small alleys) north of the Forbidden City, but Beijing is also building modern skyscrapers in its new districts.
Another city that should not be missed is Xi'an, which was once the capital of the Chinese empire for more than 100 years. Ever since the discovery of the city's Terracotta Warriors, which were made in the third century B.C., tourism to this ancient city has developed rapidly. Other interesting sights in Xi'an are the Big Wild Goose Pagoda from the Tang Dynasty, the almost completely restored Ming Dynasty city wall, the Forest of Steles, the Great Mosque and the History Museum.
China's second-largest city, Shanghai is also the economical hub of the country. "Shanghai's architecture is a dazzling juxtaposition: the ambitious and avant-garde skyline in the newly developed area gazes across the Huangpu River at the grand colonial-style buildings on the opposite bank," marvels TUI's Kremer.
Travellers can also explore Shanghai's traditional old city centre with the Yuyuan Garden, a beautiful example of southern Chinese garden architecture, and the lively Jade Buddha Temple. A day trip to one of the traditional ‘water towns' on the outskirts of Shanghai and to the garden city of Suzhou are also recommended.
A cruise on China's longest river, the Yangtze, is also a must-see. In the middle reaches of the Yangtze, between Chongqing and Yichang, the world-famous Three Gorges is formed by the mountains rising up onto the riverbanks.
"Even after the start of the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, a cruise though the world's third longest river is a very special experience," says Kremer.
"The mighty gorges, the clear tributaries of the Yangtze River, the pristine countryside along the river, and the visit of the massive dam itself are highlights of the cruise."
Off the traditional beaten tourist track in southwestern China, the small town of Guilin boasts mountain peaks, limestone caves, green rice paddies, and the clear water of the Li River, while in southern China, the bustling city of Guangzhou and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau are interesting for their urban landscape.
China's reform and opening began here in the late 1970s, and Guangzhou is another economic hub of China.
But it also features historical and traditional sights like the Chen Family Temple, the Temple of Six Banyan Trees, and the bustling markets that will startle travelers with their wide assortment of traditional Chinese medicines and all kinds of food.
World-famous Hong Kong offers a fantastic skyline along Victoria Harbor and a fascinating blend of tradition and modernity. Nearby, the former Portuguese colony of Macau features beautiful Old World architecture and Las Vegas-style casinos.
There are many other regions of China for visitors to explore. Tibet, located on the "Roof of the World," has kept many of its traditions; the ancient Silk Road in north-western China has exotic deserts; while south-western Yunnan has beautiful landscapes and vibrant ethnic minorities.
Tours galore
With the multitude of aforementioned sightseeing opportunities China has to offer, booking a tailormade itinerary taking in the key attractions and catering to individual client requirements will no doubt prove a daunting task for some travel agents.
Fortunately many of the region's tour operators have created easy-to-sell itineraries, including Emirates Holidays, which has ramped up its pre-packaged China tours for the 2007-2008 season.
These include ‘Discover China', a 10-day, nine-night tour taking in the sights of Hong Kong, Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai and Hong Kong; ‘A Taste of the East', a six-day, five-night tour of Hong Kong and Beijing, including visits to the Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City; and ‘Orient Royal Cruises - Classic Yangtze', a five-day, four-night experience allowing travellers to experience the natural and manmade wonders along the shores of the river. Cruises run between Yichang and Chongqing and can be incorporated into any China itinerary.
Tours can be by coach, or by private chauffeur-driven vehicles, notes Davinder Kaur, destination development manager, Asia & Australasia, Emirates Holidays.
She says demand for China increased 30% year on year in 2006 and expects a further 30% hike in 2007, particularly now that Emirates flies daily to Beijing (from September last year) as well as Shanghai.
"Interest from both Arab families and couples is picking up, which surprised me, but it's often the children that learn about China and its history at school and persuade their parents to visit," she says.
China's reputation for great shopping, with both malls and markets selling international designer brands as well as local specialty goods at cut-price rates, is also a draw card she adds.
Air China, which flies from Dubai to Beijing four times weekly, offers escorted ‘Discover China' tours taking in Bejing and Shanghai with prices starting from AED 4900 ($1334) per person including return flights, eight nights' accommodation in three- to four-star accommodation, all meals, tours and taxes.
All meals are Halal according to Atty Kurian, sales manager (Middle East), Air China, who booked three large groups on organised tours last year.
He says Air China is looking to leverage the UAE's outbound MICE market to China and is also looking to promote medical tourism.
"We are looking to create packages that include traditional Chinese medical treatments," he says.
"We are already in discussions with DMCs and hospitals about creating such a programme."
Agents dealing directly with DMCs are advised to partner with a reliable established company to ensure their clients have the best experience possible.
TUI China offers several ‘classical' tours taking in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Xian that can be tailor-made according to client requirements. Itineraries to Yunnan, the Silk Road, and Tibet are also available.
China International Travel Services (CITS) offers an Islamic Culture Tour of China, allowing for prayer time and visits to local mosques while taking in the sights. Visits to Muslim markets and Halal restaurants are all part of the package.
Clients willing to splurge on top-end tours of China are also well catered to now that established travel company Cox&Kings has set up shop in Dubai. The tour operator claims no individual request is too extravagant.
Greater connectivity
As business and leisure travel to China steadily increases and will no doubt boom in the future, some of the main regional and international airlines are improving their services between the Middle East and China.
Emirates Airlines will up its Beijing service from daily to 12 flights weekly from May 1 and then to double daily from July 1. The carrier also flies from Shanghai daily and to Hong Kong 17 times weekly. Qatar Airways flies to Beijing and Shanghai, four and five times weekly respectively. Hong Kong-headquartered Cathay Pacific operates a double daily service from Dubai to Hong Kong. Ten of these 14 are non-stop and three of them flights connect to Bahrain.
In December last year the airline purchased fellow Hong Kong carrier Dragonair, opening up a raft of opportunities to link the Gulf with China and several key destinations across the Asia Pacific region.
"We believe that from here (the Gulf), via Hong Kong, our business to China will double over the next year - and that's really just from Dubai," explains James Evans, Cathay Pacific's country manager, UAE & Oman.
He notes that Dragonair is "a very strong brand in China" and that his challenge is to "raise consumer awareness of Cathay Pacific's presence here in the Gulf, together with Dragonair's strength in China", and promote the combination of the two via the Hong Kong hub.
Evans stresses that together, Cathay Pacific and Dragonair offer the most flights to China from Hong Kong, connecting to 21 destinations on the mainland, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Chengdu, Xian, Wuhan, Ningbo, Fuzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Dalian, Qingdao, Shenyang, Tianjing, Sanya, Haikou, Kunming, Guilin, Changsha, and Chongqing.
"With both airlines working to realise their synergies, Hong Kong's profile as a transit hub will improve," says a Dragonair spokesman.
"Already both airlines have reduced connecting times for passengers to 50 minutes, making travelling via Hong Kong a very attractive option."
Minimum Connection Times (MCT) between Cathay Pacific and Air China have also been reduced from 70-90 minutes to 60 minutes.
Meanwhile, China Southern Airlines has started flying from Dubai to Guangzhou, the capital of China's Guangdong province, three times weekly.
The airline forecasts a demand heavy for both business and leisure travellers from the GCC region to this industrialised region located close to Hong Kong, according to Hossein Tehrani, general manager, Al Rais Travel, the airline's general sales agent in the UAE.
The airline, which also flies from Dubai to Beijing three times weekly, is also planning to introduce a service from Jeddah to the Chinese city of Urumqi with plans to double the number of passengers it carries between the UAE and China. In 2006, China Southern carried 22,265 passengers out of Dubai to China. The airline's general manager in the Middle East, Wang Ju has also revealed that an outbound holiday programme to China is also on the cards.
Highlights:
• Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square.
• The Great Wall of China & the Ming Tombs.
• Temple of Heaven.
• Summer Palace.
• Beijing Hu-Tongs.
• Pearl Market.
• Silk Market.
• Pan Jian Yuan Antique Market.
Hotel update:
Existing:
The Great Wall Sheraton Hotel Beijing:
• Compass and prayer mat available.
• Halal food can be arranged upon request.
• Varied room sizes from 35m² to 220m² and 70 pairs of connecting rooms, convenient for families.
• 24-hour concierge service; able to help guests find information of nearest mosque, entertainment, dining and sightseeing.
• In preparation for the Beijing Olympics the hotel has opened Elite floors (17th and 18th) boasting spacious elite rooms at 45m², Elite Suites starting at 60m².
Grand Hyatt Beijing:
• Airport limousine/limousine for hire.
• Multilingual hotel staff/concierge.
• Customised private sightseeing tours.
• Parking facilities for up to 2000 cars.
• Direct access to a shopping arcade.
• Prayer mat on request.
Recently opened:
The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street: opened on October 14, 2006 in Beijing's newly emerging financial district in close proximity to Chang'an Avenue for business travellers and the Forbidden City for leisure travellers. Features 253 guest rooms; three signature restaurants, 1500m² spa with 11 treatment rooms.
Westin Beijing, Financial Street: opened on October 18, 2006, in the Xicheng district, close to the Muslim area with several mosques. It comprises two 26-storey towers, one with 486 rooms and suites and the other with 205 residences. The property will host a fam trip for 10 Middle East-based travel agents this month (May).
Planned:
Marriott International will open the 19-storey, 615-room Beijing Marriott Hotel City Wall in 2008. Located at the intersection of the Second-Ring Road (east) and the Beijing Railway Station East Road, the hotel will be part of a mixed-use development on a 9000m² site about 1.5km west of the Beijing central business district and 2km east of Wangfujing, Beijing's main shopping district.
Also under construction are the 258-room Courtyard by Marriott Beijing Northeast (opening late 2007) and the 591-room JW Marriott Hotel Beijing, the 540-room Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel and the 320-room The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, all of which open in 2008.
The Marriott International hotel portfolio in Beijing is currently represented by the 212-room Renaissance Beijing Hotel; the 293-room Courtyard by Marriott Beijing; the 444-room New World Jing Guang Hotel; the 155-room Beijing Marriott West; the 224-unit Marriott Executive Apartments Palm Spring Beijing, and the 256-room The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing Financial Street.
Park Hyatt Beijing: a 63-storey building featuring 237 guest rooms as well as retail, leisure and residential components, set to open late 2007.
Highlights:
• The old and the new: the avant-garde skyline in the newly developed area on one side of the Huangpu River and the grand colonial-style buildings on the opposite bank.
• Shanghai old city: Yuyuan Garden and Jade Buddha Temple.
• Day trip to traditional ‘water towns' on the outskirts of Shanghai and to the garden city of Suzhou are also recommended.
• hopping and nightlife.
• Shanghai acrobats for kids.
Hotel update
Planned:
HanTang Jumeirah Shanghai: to be operated by the Jumeirah Group and scheduled to open mid-2008. The hotel will be part of Xintiandi, the food & beverage, retail and entertainment component of a master-planned 52-hectare development inthe heart of downtown Puxi, Shanghai. It will feature 338 rooms, suites and villas, state-of-the-art conference and banqueting facilities as well as a luxury spa.
Hyatt on the Bund, Shanghai: the 631-room property located in the commercial district will open mid-2007.
Park Hyatt Shanghai: to be located on the top floors of the Shanghai World Financial Centre in Pudong featuring 175 rooms and a spa. Scheduled to open in 2008.
Guangzhou: located in the Guangdong province, Guangzhou is a city that has transformed into one of the world's most important manufacturing hubs. Historical sights include the Chen Family Temple, the Temple of Six Banyan Trees, and markets selling Chinese medicine. Upcoming properties include the 400-room Grand Hyatt Guangzhou in 2008 and The W Guangzhou, featuring 320 rooms and 167 luxury residences, scheduled to open in 2010.
Macau: This former Portuguese colony features beautiful Old World architecture, Las Vegas-style casinos and extensive MICE facilities.
Sanya: located on Hainan Island at the southern tip of China, boasting a micro-tropical climate. One of the latest properties to open here is the Angsana Spa Kempinski Resort & Spa, Sanya, featuring two double outdoor spa pavilions and 10 indoor treatment rooms.
Yangtze river: China's longest river, which in its middle reaches, between Chongqing and Yichang, features the world-famous Three Gorges where mountain ranges rise from the river banks.
Xian: features the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, which were made in the 3rd century B.C. Other sights include the Big Wild Goose Pagoda from the Tang Dynasty, the almost completely restored Ming Dynasty city wall, the Forest of Steles, the Great Mosque and the History Museum.
Getting there:
Air China: Dubai-Beijing, four flights weekly.
Cathay Pacific: Dubai-Hong Kong, double daily; Bahrain-Hong Kong, daily; Riyadh- Hong Kong, four weekly.
China Southern Airlines: Dubai-Beijing, three times weekly; to Dubai-Guangzhou, three weekly.
Dragonair: flies to 30 destinations across the Asia-Pacific region including 21 in Mainland China. The airline operates 119 and 115 flights weekly to Shanghai and Beijing respectively.
Emirates Airlines: Dubai to Beijing, 12 weekly from May 1 and double daily from July 1; to Hong Kong, 17 flights weekly; Dubai-Shanghai, daily.
Qatar Airways: Doha-Beijing, four weekly; Doha-Shanghai, five weekly.
Visas: Visitors to China of all nationalities are required to apply for a tourist visa (usually valid for 30 days) in advance of their trip. Passports must be valid for at least six months. To download visa application forms and for details of the nearest Chinese Embassy, visit www.fmprc.gov.cn.
Currency: 10 China Yuan Renminei (CMY or RMB) = US $1.3.
Getting around:
Car rental: Avis China offers safe and affordable car rental with or without a driver. Travel agents will receive up to 15% commission and can book via GDS or online. Avis recommends its Tour Asia rates (with driver) created specifically for tour operators. Contact your local Avis sales office for details or e-mail This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .
Packages:
Air China: an all-inclusive nine-day eight-night ‘Discover China' trip including four nights at the Shanghai Holiday Inn Downtown and four nights at the Beijing Marriott Courtyard, return airfares (Dubai-Beijing), meals, taxes, ground transport and all tours is priced from AED 4900 (US $1334) per person.
Cathay Pacific: packages are available to Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, Kunming, and Quingdao, including three nights' accommodation, return air fares from Dubai, airport transfers and breakfast. Prices start from AED 2730 ($743) for Beijing; AED2840 ($773) for Shanghai; AED 2950 ($803) for Guilin; AED 3140 ($855) for Kunming; and AED3360 ($915) for Quingdao.
Emirates Holidays: ‘Royal Cruises - Classic Yangtze' (five days/four nights): Tours start Saturday and the boat departs Chongqing every Sunday. Prices start from AED 8565 ($2332) per person (in low season and based on two people sharing) including economy class airfare Dubai-Shanghai-Chongqing and Yichang-Shanghai-Dubai; one night's four-star accommodation in Shanghai on day one, three nights' accommodation on the cruise ship, all transfers by private car, meals on full board basis on the cruise (except for the pre-cruise night, which includes American breakfast), shore excursions, room tax and service charges. Visa charges and taxes excluded. ‘Discover China' (10 days/nine nights): prices start from AED 12,590 ($3429) per person (based on two people sharing) including economy class airfare Dubai-Hong Kong-Beijing-Xian-Shanghai-Hong Kong, accommodation in four- and five-star hotels, all transfers by coach or private car, breakfast, five lunches, one half-day and one full-day tour in Beijing, one half-day and one full-day tour in Xian and one half-day tour in Shanghai, room tax and service charges.
TUI China: The Middle Kingdom: (three nights Beijing, two nights Xi'an and two nights Shanghai). Prices start from US $520 per person; China Highlights: (three nights Beijing, two nights Xi'an, two nights Shanghai, two nights Guilin and two nights Kong Kong). Prices start from $1100 per person. China's Hidden Treasures: three nights Beijing, two nights Xi'an, three nights Yangtze River, two nights Shanghai, two nights Hangzhou, two nights Guilin, one night Guangzhou and two nights Hong Kong. Prices start from $1500 per person.
Travel partners
1. China International Travel Service (CITS): has set up a dedicated Middle East division and boasts a team of Middle East experts. Contact Fan Zhong Xiang, senior manager, Middle East sales department. Call +8610 652 22759 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .
2. China Travel Service (CTS): contact Zhang Wenquan, GM, European Department on +86 10 6461 2569 or 6461 2288 extension 6417 or 6461 2567, or e-mail This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . Visit www.ctsho.com.
3. TUI China Travel: contact Juergen Kremer on +86 10 8519 8870 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . Visit www.tui.cn.
CITS tips for China
• Select an established and reputable travel partner/DMC.
• Advise clients to travel in escorted groups for extra value for money and peace of mind.
• Do not bring too much money in cash with you while traveling in China. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants.
• Do not bring too much food from your country. Muslim/Halal restaurants are common in the big tourist cities.
• Practice how to use chopsticks and learn some useful Chinese phrases before visiting.
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