Abu Dhabi and Al Ain recently welcomed the largest-ever gathering of Chinese travel industry leaders outside of China during the prestigious China Visitors Summit (CVS).
Nearly 160 of China’s top travel professionals, including major travel agencies, upscale tour operators, luxury wholesalers, MICE managers, and corporate travel planners, travelled to the UAE to connect directly with the region’s key tourism suppliers, from world-class hotels and shopping malls to attractions, inbound operators, and cultural destinations.
Over two intensive days at the Rotana Hotel and Conference Centre, an impressive 3,000-plus business meetings took place between Chinese buyers and UAE tourism partners. Together, these influential buyers contributed nearly $1 billion in international travel sales last year and represented more than 1.5 million outbound travellers, many of whom are increasingly interested in the UAE and GCC markets.
China continues to dominate the global tourism landscape, boasting around 200 million passport holders and a similar number of international trips each year. With annual overseas spending exceeding $300 billion, China remains a critical growth market for destinations worldwide.
One of the summit’s standout features was its customised meeting structure, enabling UAE suppliers to prioritise specific buyer profiles, from premium leisure travel to MICE-focused business tourism.
“The China Visitors Summit is not just about meetings – it’s about building long-term partnerships between the UAE and China’s most powerful travel industry leaders,” said Alexander Glos, CEO of the China i2i Group, organiser of the event. “Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE are now firmly positioned as must-visit destinations for Chinese travellers, and the CVS provides the direct access, insights, and opportunities that suppliers need to succeed in this market.”
