Trade Shows and Tourism Aid Middle East’s Transformation (AI Translation)
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文｜财新周刊 冯奕铭 发自阿布扎比
By Caixin Weekly's Feng Yiming, reporting from Abu Dhabi
12月的阿布扎比正值凉季，高温和燥热已经褪去，正是气候宜人的时候。傍晚时分，建在萨迪亚特岛（Saadiyat Island）上的阿布扎比卢浮宫（Louvre Abou Dabi）已经接近闭馆时刻，灯光穿过博物馆独特的镂空穹顶，变成地面上的点点光斑，抬头望去则像是看到了星空。
December in Abu Dhabi is during the cool season, with the high temperatures and dry heat having subsided, resulting in a pleasant climate. As evening approaches, the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island is nearing closing time. Lights pass through the museum's distinctive latticed dome, casting spots of light on the ground and resembling a starry sky when looking up.
这座建在海上的卢浮宫，是阿拉伯世界首家国际性综合博物馆，也是法国在海外最大的文化项目，彰显着这个以石油起家的酋长国开发艺术旅游资源的决心。
This Louvre museum built on the sea is the first international comprehensive museum in the Arab world and France’s largest cultural project overseas, highlighting the emirate's determination, originally known for its oil wealth, to develop art tourism resources.
近年来，以阿联酋、沙特为代表的中东国家不断向世界展现开放之姿，欲摆脱对石油经济的单一依赖，谋求多元化发展。旅游经济是其中重要一环。各国公布旅游战略，提出增长目标，同时和OTA（Online Travel Agency，在线旅行社）平台合作，加大国家形象及旅游资源的宣传推广。
In recent years, Middle Eastern countries, notably the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, have increasingly showcased an open stance toward the world, aiming to reduce their reliance on the oil economy and pursue diversified development. The tourism economy plays a crucial role in this endeavor. These nations have announced tourism strategies, set growth targets, and collaborated with online travel agencies (OTAs) to enhance the promotion of their national image and tourism resources.
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- The Louvre Abu Dhabi underscores the UAE's push to develop tourism, leveraging arts and culture beyond oil. It complements efforts to reduce oil dependency by boosting art tourism.
- Chinese tourism to the UAE is rising, with a notable increase in flight bookings and newly launched routes by Chinese airlines; Dubai remains a key destination while Abu Dhabi lags behind.
- Saudi Arabia is diversifying its economy through tourism and international events like the 2034 World Cup, aiming for a 10% GDP contribution from tourism by 2030.
**Summary of the Article:**
December in Abu Dhabi brings a pleasant climate, ideal for visiting attractions like the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island, renowned for its unique architecture and art tourism appeal. This marks the emirate's ambition to diversify from oil to art tourism, as part of a broader Middle Eastern trend to lessen oil dependence through tourism development strategies and collaborations with online travel agencies. [para. 1][para. 2]
Between 2018 and 2023, Middle Eastern countries launched 254 tourism-related foreign direct investment projects, totaling $15.2 billion, emphasizing the region's focus on tourism as an economic pillar. Chinese companies have embraced "overseas study tours," driving tourism growth, with international flight bookings to the Middle East seeing significant year-on-year increases by December 2024. Chinese airlines have expanded their routes to Middle Eastern cities, like Riyadh and Doha, in response. However, for individual travelers, Middle Eastern destinations need to improve in recognition and convenience as travel destinations. [para. 3][para. 4][para. 5]
The UAE, comprising seven emirates including Abu Dhabi and Dubai, leads in cultural diversity-driven tourism. Abu Dhabi is the capital, while Dubai is the economic hub and a major destination for Chinese enterprises due to its infrastructure and policy environment. While initially driven by oil-related companies, the Middle Eastern economy now shows rapid growth in tourism, finance, and other sectors, with 70% of the UAE's GDP from non-oil industries. [para. 6][para. 8]
Dubai, a major trade and financial center, attracts foreign investments and leads in tourism with man-made attractions like the Burj Khalifa and theme parks. Its exhibition economy thrives, with the Dubai World Trade Centre hosting significant events contributing 58% to local GDP. The emirate's sales in duty-free shopping reached a record in 2024. Contrasting with Dubai, Abu Dhabi aims to boost tourism through cultural assets such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and has plans to significantly increase visitor numbers by 2030. [para. 9][para. 10][para. 11]
Abu Dhabi's hotels saw a considerable increase in visitors in 2024, and the emirate focuses on arts and culture to attract tourists. Yas Island, developed for leisure with parks and entertainment venues, highlights Abu Dhabi's tourism efforts. Other emirates like Ras Al Khaimah also target Chinese tourists. [para. 13][para. 15][para. 16]
Saudi Arabia was awarded the 2034 World Cup and aims to use international events to drive tourism and economic diversification. The kingdom's exhibition economy is growing, with events like the Big 5 Construct Saudi attracting major global participation. Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030" strategy focuses on reducing oil reliance and promoting tourism and economic diversity. Post-pandemic, it has seen a boost in international tourism and opened borders to Chinese tourists through a new agreement allowing group tourism starting mid-2024. [para. 19][para. 20][para. 21][para. 22]
Saudi Arabia is further investing heavily in developing tourism infrastructure, such as the Red Sea New City, which aims for sustainability and innovation. Expected to be completed by 2030, it highlights Saudi Arabia's ambition under "Vision 2030" to become a prominent tourist destination, with large-scale investments supporting this goal. [para. 25][para. 26]
- China Eastern Airlines
东方航空 - China Eastern Airlines has significantly expanded its Middle East routes from the latter half of 2023 to 2024, mainly focusing on Dubai. The departures include Shanghai Pudong, Qingdao, Kunming, and Xi'an. The airline's flights to and from the Middle East have increased to 230.2% of 2023 levels, reflecting the growing demand for travel between China and the region.
- Cathay Pacific Airways
国泰航空 - According to the article, Cathay Pacific Airways has opened new routes to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. This is part of a broader trend where Chinese airlines are expanding their flight routes to the Middle East to tap into the growing demand for business and tourism in the region.
- China Southern Airlines
南方航空 - China Southern Airlines has expanded its routes in the Middle East, adding a new flight between Doha, the capital of Qatar, and Guangzhou. This reflects the increased focus of Chinese airlines on the Middle Eastern market, aligning with the growing demand for travel and business opportunities in the region.
- Hainan Airlines
海航控股 - Hainan Airlines has launched a direct flight between Haikou and Abu Dhabi. This new route is part of the Chinese airlines' strategy to expand flight connections with the Middle East, aiming to meet rising demand for travel and business between China and the region.
- Air China
中国国航 - Air China (601111.SH) has expanded its routes in the Middle East by adding direct flights between Turkey's largest city, Istanbul, and China. This expansion is part of a broader increase in flights to the Middle East, reflecting a growing demand for travel to this region.
- Qunar
去哪儿网 - Qunar, a Chinese online travel agency platform, reports significant growth in international flight bookings to the Middle East. As of December 24, 2024, the United Arab Emirates is a leading destination, with a 62% year-over-year increase in international flight ticket sales. Flights to two major UAE cities, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, saw increases of 72% and 61%, respectively; Saudi Arabia followed closely, with a higher growth rate of 86%.
- Ctrip
携程 - Ctrip partnered with Haima Tourism Development Authority in June 2024, providing a channel to attract Chinese tourists. Since the collaboration, over 4,000 Chinese visitors have traveled to Haima through Ctrip, boosting Chinese tourist numbers by 16% and making China one of Haima's top ten source countries for tourists.
- Warner Brothers
华纳兄弟 - The article mentions Warner Brothers World on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, which is part of the island's leisure and entertainment offerings. Yas Island is one of Abu Dhabi's largest tourism projects, and alongside Warner Brothers World, it includes Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld.
- Red Sea Global
红海全球集团 - Red Sea Global is developing the Red Sea New City in Saudi Arabia, aiming to be the world's first all-green energy tourism city. Located on Saudi Arabia's northwest Red Sea coast, the project is part of the "Vision 2030" plan, spanning 28,000 square kilometers. Upon completion in 2030, it will feature 50 hotels and is expected to contribute 33 billion SAR annually to GDP and create 120,000 jobs.
- 2016：
- Saudi Arabia introduced the 'Vision 2030' national strategic plan to reduce its reliance on oil revenues and pursue economic diversification.
- 2017：
- The Louvre Abu Dhabi was inaugurated, becoming the largest museum on the Arabian Peninsula.
- 2018 to 2023：
- Middle Eastern countries launched a total of 254 tourism-related greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) projects.
- 2019：
- Saudi Arabia opened its doors to tourists with visas granted to citizens from 49 countries, including China.
- February 2023：
- China saw 'disruptive growth' in the number of people attending meetings and study tours in the Middle East compared to 2019.
- After February 2023：
- China Eastern Airlines announced new Middle East routes, focusing on Dubai with increased flight connections.
- April 2024：
- The Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi unveiled its 'Tourism Strategy 2030'.
- June 2024：
- China and Saudi Arabia signed a new agreement granting Approved Destination Status (ADS) to China, opening up group tourism starting July 1.
- December 11, 2024：
- Saudi Arabia was awarded the hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup.
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