Dubai sets up strategic partnerships to lure more Chinese visitors

DUBAI -- Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) said Tuesday it has formed a strategic partnerships with UnionPay International and online travel platform Tuniu in Shanghai.

CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commercial Marketing, Issam Kazim signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UnionPay Chief Brand Officer, Dong Li, agreeing collaborative marketing initiatives, Dubai Tourism said in an e-mailed statement.

The deal will extend Dubai's offering to millions of potential travellers in China, it added.

Kazim also met with Yu Dunde, CEO of Tuniu, one of China's biggest online leisure travel service platforms, at another MoU signing ceremony to create a strategic relationship that will further facilitate Chinese visitation to Dubai.

Commenting on the agreements with UnionPay and Tuniu, Issam Kazim said ''We strive to continue our work with strategic partners such as UnionPay and Tuniu to promote the full spectrum of Dubai's tourism offering to a diverse range of Chinese tourists.''

With 450,000 Chinese tourists visiting Dubai in 2015, inbound traffic from China dominated the uptake from this region, topping the leader board of year-on-year growth trends with a 29 percent increase, said Dubai Tourism last Wednesday.

Dubai attracted over 14.2 million tourists in 2015, a sharp 7.5-percent increase over 2014.

The collaboration between UnionPay and Dubai Tourism will enhance the service quality for UnionPay cardholders visiting Dubai.

Beginning on 1 February 2016 and continuing through the upcoming Chinese Spring Festival period until the end of the month, UnionPay card holders will be able to enjoy a 10-25 percent discount across 120 shopping centres, attractions, hotels and restaurants in Dubai.

Tuniu seeks to offer all customers a set of competitive products, ranging from luxurious 'seven-star' hotel experiences at the iconic seven-star-hotel Burj Al Arab to more economical packages at affordable prices.

''Through our global connectivity as an airline hub and with 12 gateways between China and Dubai, we are well primed to be a compelling preferred destination and transit stopover for Chinese,'' said Kazim.