China Inbound Tourism Heats Up as Arab Markets Emerge as Growth Driver

The 2026 Arabian Travel Market ran September 14-17 at Dubai World Trade Centre, with China's delegation exhibiting for a third consecutive year under the "Nihao! China" theme and one of the largest booths among Asian countries. China National Immigration Administration data show inbound foreign arrivals rose 20.4% year on year in the first half, while travel services exports grew 31.1%. In full-year 2025, more than 150,000 Gulf Cooperation Council nationals entered China, up 100.78%, with Saudi and UAE nationals up 110% and 113% respectively. The China Cultural Center in the UAE has organized over 60 Chinese tourism companies for matchmaking with regional firms.