Arabian Adventures debuts in China

On the wings of Emirates launching its second daily service to Beijing, Arabian Adventures has announced its debut in China with the appointment of Asia Tourism Relations as its official representative in the country.

Arabian Adventures, the Destination Management Company that is part of the Emirates Group, has consolidated its market position as the largest buyer of hotel rooms in the UAE and is dedicated to providing professional, high quality, destination management services to the world’s foremost tour operators, incentive houses, meeting and convention organisers, and cruise lines.

According to the China National Tourism Administration, Chinese travellers will make 37.4 million trips outside the mainland in 2007, up 10 per cent from 2006. Demand from China’s outbound travellers to experience the Middle East is now increasing significantly, validated by Emirates’ highly successful double daily flights to Beijing and daily services to Shanghai.

In 2006, Dubai hosted nearly 70,000 visitors from China, representing a 44 per cent increase from the previous year. The MoU recently signed by the UAE and the China National Tourism Administration, prior to the UAE receiving full Approved Destination Status from Chinese authorities, will undoubtedly further boost traffic between the two countries and beyond Dubai.

Frederic Bardin, Vice President Arabian Adventures said: “We are delighted to take our first steps in China, which has a fast-growing base of middle and high income earners who are keen to explore the world. We are now in the process of collating inputs and feedback from the industry and travellers by visiting local agents and participating in trade shows. We firmly believe that Arabian Adventures’ superior services and bespoke packages will create a whole new dimension for those travelling to the UAE. Asia Tourism Relations is a like-minded partner and we are confident of tasting success in China.”

The Chinese travel industry is also becoming much more sophisticated, and agents are moving away from selling a “one product fits all” philosophy. Many Chinese now travel abroad for a myriad of reasons – be it to experience a different culture and new lifestyle or to soak in the history and social milieu of a city.

Arabian Adventures has crafted special packages exclusively for globe-trotting Chinese on transit or a stopover in Dubai. These include an exciting city tour with a Mandarin-speaking guide and the ever-popular sundowner desert safari with barbeque dinner. Packages also include 96-hour visas, accommodation with breakfast, meet-and-greet services at Dubai International Airport, transfers between the airport and hotel, a welcome pack, and assistance from Arabian Adventures staff throughout the stay. Personalised packages are tailored to fit individual needs and demands.

Glen Hingley, Managing Director Asia, Tourism Relations added: “I’m extremely proud to be representing Arabian Adventures in China. The initial reaction from the senior executives of the travel industry has been extremely positive. The Chinese travel industry has been marketing Asia, Australia and Europe as approved destinations, but travellers are now seeking to explore new places. The UAE has the perfect balance – providing exciting and radically different experiences with the comfort and sophistication sought by the modern Chinese traveller.”