Dubai: Meraas in collaboration with Dubai Holding and DXB Entertainments, has launched ‘Hala China’, an initiative to promote Chinese tourism in the region. The collaboration will see the creation of new tourism packages that cater to Chinese visitors in seven categories — stay, shop, eat, play, explore, wellness and concierge.
The initiative will focus on exploring opportunities that encourage and facilitate economic development through both tourism, trade and investment. ‘Hala China’ will see several government ministries and companies in Dubai and China team up to organise events and incentives, which will play a role in further strengthening bilateral relations. In February 2018, Meraas and the Consulate General of China hosted the city’s maiden Chinese New Year celebrations at City Walk.
“Hala China’ will enable us to share the story of our city with a mobile Chinese audience, while extending an invitation to come and explore the possibilities we are creating for a new generation of entrepreneurs, business travellers, holidaymakers and communities.” said Abdullah Al Habbai, Group Chairman, Meraas in a company statement.
The initiative will begin by focusing on some key drivers for Chinese visitors to Dubai, such as culture and heritage, entertainment and leisure, and luxury retail. The various sectors that are expected to witness a positive impact from this initiative include luxury fashion, retail, hospitality, dining, education, sports, photography and weddings.
Chinese outbound tourism expenditure reached $261 billion in 2016, roughly 21 per cent of the world market, according to the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization. Through ‘Hala China’, Meraas will seek to attract Chinese visitors to City Walk, The Beach, Boxpark, Last Exit, The Outlet Village, Al Seef, La Mer and The Yard, as well as upcoming destinations, Dubai Arena and Dubai Harbour.
