Chinese travellers are still booking outbound trips in growing numbers, and the MENA travel industry is watching closely for signs that Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other regional destinations can share in that recovery.
Geopolitical events have weighed on travel to the Middle East in recent months, but new research points to underlying resilience in Chinese outbound demand that could benefit the region as confidence returns.
Chinese demand holds steady
Dragon Trail International, an official research partner of Arabian Travel Market, found that 77% of surveyed travel agents reported higher demand for outbound travel in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period the previous year. Seventy percent said demand for outbound summer travel had also increased year-on-year.
That pattern is backed by government data. China's National Immigration Administration recorded a 10.7% rise in border crossings by mainland Chinese citizens in the first half of 2026. Official Chinese government travel advisories covering GCC countries have also been lifted, removing a barrier that had discouraged travel to the region.
"China remains one of the world's most influential outbound tourism markets, and while recent geopolitical developments have temporarily affected travel demand to the Middle East, the long-term opportunity remains significant," said Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director – UAE at RX Global.
