- Agreements signed at Special Symposium on Tourism Exchange and Cooperation present new opportunities for tourism joint ventures between Hainan and Dubai
- Alignment of tourism ambitions between Hainan and Dubai offers enormous potential
- Chinese Consulate-General in Dubai, Department of Culture, Radio, Television, Publication and Sports of Hainan Province, Hala China, travel agents participate in seminal signing
Dubai: Key political and tourism entities from the Hainan Province in China and Dubai signed three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) this week at the Special Symposium on Tourism Exchange and Cooperation. The strategic agreements will support and incentivise the potentially enormous two-way tourism exchange between the Chinese province and the emirate, in addition to offering a raft of new business opportunities.
His Excellency Liu Cigui, Secretary of the Hainan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, and Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Hala China, witnessed the signing. The first MoU was a cooperation framework agreement between Hala China and the Department of Culture, Radio, Television, Publication and Sports of Hainan Province, while the second MoU was a cooperation agreement between Hainan Kangtai Travel and Hala China. The third MOU was an investment contract worth more than AED540 million between Hainan Health Care Group and Dubai’s Duwaya Group.
Organised and hosted by Hala China – a joint initiative between Meraas and Dubai Holding – the signing ceremony at Shangri-La Hotel in Dubai drew the participation of high-level dignitaries, including His Excellency Chen Xi, Director General of China’s Department of Commerce, and Her Excellency Tan Li, Acting Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai.
Speaking at the signing, His Excellency Liu Cigui said: “The agreements we have signed are a testament to Hainan’s significance in the global tourism industry. Establishing synergies with these progressively minded partners in Dubai is an important and exciting development that drives awareness of both the Hainan Province and Dubai as some of the most dynamic and fascinating tourist destinations in the world.”
Speaking about the agreements, Her Excellency Tan Li said: “This week, we witnessed yet another proof of the ever-strengthening bilateral ties between our two countries. By aligning the tourist ambitions of the Hainan Province and Dubai, we see how working together continues to offer promising opportunities for us both, while keeping the interests of the citizens that will benefit most from these memorandums at the core of our thinking at all times.”
Sheikh Majid Al Mualla said: “These agreements will have a significant impact on Dubai’s push to diversify its economy. In line with the pioneering vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, what we offer the global travellers of today is a hub of tourism activities and experiences that is unique and unrivalled. Joining forces with the Hainan Province will strengthen our offering while giving back to our residents and visitors.”
The Hainan Province is one of the top tourist destinations in China. In 2018, it attracted more than 76 million overnight international and domestic visitors.
It is estimated that more than 270,000 Chinese expats live in the UAE. From January to November 2018, the number of transit tourists visiting Dubai reached nearly 800,000, a year-on-year increase of 12 per cent. The inaugural Chinese New Year celebrations at City Walk in February 2018 attracted more than 22,000 Chinese and other visitors. This year, that number is expected to rise even further with the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism confirming an active participation. The Grand Parade at City Walk alone attracted more than 30,000 people.
China is Dubai’s largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year. In 2019, the UAE and China have entered their 35th year of diplomatic relations. The 2018 visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Vice President Wang Qishan to the UAE strengthened the relations between the two countries.
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About Hala China
Hala China is a major initiative launched by Meraas, in collaboration with Dubai Holding, to enhance economic and cultural exchange and drive investment cooperation between Dubai and China. The initiative aims to attract Chinese visitors and investors to the emirate through an annual calendar of tailored events and tour packages that span seven categories – stay, shop, eat, play, explore, wellness and concierge.
In showcasing Dubai and the wider UAE to the Chinese diaspora, Hala China aligns with Dubai’s Tourism Vision 2020. The initiative is led by a steering committee responsible for planning and organising food festivals, fashion shows, sporting events, as well as music and cultural festivals, among other activities.
About Meraas
Meraas is a Dubai-based conglomerate that aims to enhance the emirate’s cityscape with a human-centric approach to developing assets in the real estate, tourism, hospitality, F&B, retail, leisure and entertainment, technology, maritime, and healthcare sectors.
Meraas pursues its mission to build creative urban culture where thriving communities can take root. Among its investments are some of the most admired real-estate properties in premium locations, such as Bluewaters Residences, Bvlgari Residences, Cherrywoods, City Walk Residences, Nikki Beach Residences, Port de La Mer Residences, Villa Amalfi, and Zabeel Saray Royal Residence.
The company’s portfolio comprises over 80 million square feet of total developed land, more than 3,500 homes, 2,000 retail units, and 15 landmark destinations, including Al Seef, Bluewaters, Boxpark, City Walk, Dubai Harbour, Jumeira Bay, Kite Beach, La Mer, Last Exit, Pearl Jumeira, The Beach, The Outlet Village, and The Yard.
About Dubai Holding
Dubai Holding is an investment conglomerate with operations in 12 countries employing over 20,000 people.
Established in 2004, Dubai Holding manages an AED130 billion portfolio of assets, which supports the strong development of Dubai’s non-oil economy across sectors including tourism, hospitality, real estate, media, ICT, education, design and trade.
Its portfolio includes:
- Jumeirah Group, the hospitality arm which owns and operates 20 hotel developments in 9 destinations in 8 countries
- Dubai Properties, one of the largest fully integrated and community development business in Dubai
- TECOM Group, which manages 11 of Dubai’s most successful business communities
- Dubai Asset Management, owners of one of the largest portfolio of residential communities for rent in Dubai
- Dubai Retail, the retail management arm that focuses on developing, operating and managing Dubai Holding’s extensive range of strategically located retail assets across prime destinations and communities
- Arab Media Group, which implements a strategic plan to develop new family destinations and further grow digital media business lines
Dubai Holding’s current project pipeline will add significantly to the Emirate’s portfolio of landmarks. This includes Marsa Al Arab, Emirates Towers District and Dubai Creek Harbour, a joint venture with Emaar Properties. Dubai Holding plays an influential role in delivering on Dubai’s economic diversification strategy and initiatives such as Tourism Vision 2020, Dubai Innovation Strategy and Dubai Industrial Strategy.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Meraas
Mutaz Albadri
Mobile: +971 50 570 6785
Email: mutaz.albadri@meraas.ae
APCO Worldwide
Sneha Nair
Mobile: +971 55 408 7954
Email: meraascorp@apcoworldwide.com
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