The 2025 China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Tourism Trade Fair recently kicked off in Dubai, showcasing a vibrant meeting of minds and cultures from two dynamic regions. This two-day event attracted over 160 participants spanning government, business, and academic sectors from both China and the GCC countries, underscoring the growing synergy between these tourism markets.
Under the engaging theme “Hello! China,” the fair featured a diverse lineup of 53 Chinese companies and 83 GCC companies, all operating within the tourism sector and related industries. This gathering offered a robust platform for these entities to showcase their offerings, exchange ideas, and explore collaborative opportunities that could shape the future of travel and cultural exchange between China and the Gulf.
Chinese Ambassador to the UAE, Zhang Yiming, delivered a compelling keynote speech that highlighted the increasing importance of China and GCC countries as both tourism destinations and source markets for each other. He emphasized the rising trend of Chinese travelers visiting the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, drawn by the unique blend of desert and sea landscapes, rich Arab culture, and ultra-modern urban environments. Ambassador Zhang extended a warm invitation to tourists from Arab countries to explore China’s bustling metropolitan hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, along with the breathtaking natural scenery and diverse ethnic cultures in regions such as Xinjiang.
One of the key messages from the fair was the potential for deeper collaboration between the two regions. Ambassador Zhang called on stakeholders to jointly develop innovative travel routes, enhanced visitor experiences, and unique tourism products that leverage the strengths of both China and the GCC. This call to action reflects an understanding that tourism today thrives on cross-cultural creativity and synergy, promising mutual benefits through shared growth.
The fair also featured insights from Ahmed Mohammed, an executive board member of the International Council of Museums, who praised the event as a vital step toward strengthening cultural and tourism ties between China and the GCC. Mohammed expressed hope for sustained bilateral cooperation, envisioning a future where understanding, creativity, and prosperity flow freely between these regions, nurtured by ongoing cultural exchange and tourism development.
Supporting these burgeoning ties, China recently introduced a trailblazing visa policy in early June 2025. This policy grants unilateral visa-free entry to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain for stays of up to 30 days, valid through to June 2026. This move effectively extends China’s visa-free treatment to all GCC countries, solidifying smoother cross-border travel. Notably, the UAE and Qatar have maintained reciprocal visa-free arrangements with China since 2018, highlighting a sustained commitment to facilitating tourism and business exchanges.
Visually capturing the energy and diversity of this event, images from the fair illustrate a bustling scene filled with networking, cultural displays, and enthusiastic participants. These photos reflect not just a trade fair but a celebration of the shared curiosity and openness that travel fosters between distant peoples and places.
The 2025 China-GCC Tourism Trade Fair in Dubai stands as a landmark in fostering deeper ties between two culturally rich and economically vibrant regions. By bringing together a wide spectrum of participants, embracing innovative policies, and promoting cultural exchange, this event helps pave the way for a future brimming with potential for travelers and businesses on both sides.
