White Paper: Chinese Tourism to MENA

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is arguably the most exciting world region for the development of China’s outbound tourism right now. Over the past several years since China reopened for international leisure travel, visitor numbers have surged from the Persian Gulf to Türkiye and across North Africa.

As more MENA countries begin to focus on growing tourism as a key economic sector, they’re recognizing the huge potential from China, and making the Chinese market a key focus for their energies and initiatives. Beneficial visa policies and ever-increasing flight connections also support rapid growth.

Chinese tourists, meanwhile, are looking for exotic landscapes and unique cultural experiences. They want to explore new destinations, but will prioritize those that are welcoming and easy to access. With its ancient civilizations, deserts, oases and seas, iconic architecture, and the mysterious allure of the 1,001 Nights, MENA fits the bill.

A first-of-its-kind publication, Dragon Trail’s White Paper on Chinese Tourism to the Middle East and North Africa provides extensive, original, up-to-date, and fact-checked data and insights on the Chinese tourism market to the region. The 64-page report includes:

• Detailed profiles for 12 countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa: UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Türkiye, and Iran. Detailed and verified data includes Chinese arrivals and growth data, flight connectivity, visa requirements, top destinations and attractions for the Chinese market, and marketing activities.

• Consumer survey of more than 1,000 Chinese travelers, covering their interest in and concerns about the MENA region.

• Trade survey of 55 Chinese travel agents currently selling travel to the MENA region, covering destination potential, B2B outreach, and how to build and sell the right travel products.

• In-depth interviews with Chinese travel trade professionals who specialize in the MENA region, tourism boards, Chinese tourists, and other stakeholders.

• Practical information and tips on cultural differences and travel logistics.

Click here to view and download the white paper

(Users in China: if you cannot open the above link, please contact us directly to receive your copy of the report)

What’s Next?

As the official Research Partner for Arabian Travel Market 2026, Dragon Trail will release a second edition of our white paper on Chinese tourism to MENA at this important industry event in Dubai next May. Please get in touch with us to learn more, contribute fresh information and insights, and let us know if you’ll be attending ATM as well so we can be sure to invite you to our session there and meet in person.

About Dragon Trail: 

Dragon Trail International is a marketing solutions company headquartered in Beijing. Since our founding in 2009, we’ve focused on marketing for Chinese outbound tourism, working with destinations, hotels, airlines, attractions and other travel brands around the world to help them reach Chinese consumers and the Chinese travel trade. Our services include B2C and B2B content creation and digital marketing; virtual, hybrid, and offline events; research and strategy consulting; and PR and market representation services.

Dragon Trail is proud to be a part of the development of Chinese tourism to MENA through our work with destinations throughout the region, including Chinese travel agent engagement and training for The Royal Commission of AlUla and Ras Al Khaimah, Chinese market representation for the Sultanate of Oman, B2B event organization for the Egyptian Tourism Authority, China-ready training for the Saudi Tourism Authority, and more.

Questions about the white paper, or how we can help you to launch or enhance your marketing to Chinese consumers and the travel trade? Contact us at communications@dragontrail.com