According to the ATM Travel Trends Report 2026 by ICCA and Tourism Economics, Chinese leisure nights in the Middle East are projected to rise 160% between 2025 and 2030. In business travel, visits from China are forecast to grow by 99%, leading all major source markets. The study also notes that Chinese visitors spend more than twice as much per night as the typical traveler to the region.
The 2026 West Bund International Tech Consumer Carnival opened in Shanghai on October 22, featuring AI consumer products from over 400 global tech brands. Exhibitors included Ningbo-based Mamibao, whose smart baby crib is sold in mainland China and Dubai, as well as E3A Healthcare and SenseTime. Official data revealed that retail sales of smart wearables in China grew by more than 70% year on year during the first nine months of 2026.
Forbes Middle East will host the inaugural Forbes Middle East Family Business Summit in Abu Dhabi on October 28–29, 2026, under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism. Presented by First Abu Dhabi Bank, the summit expects approximately 3,000 attendees and over 60 speakers to examine governance, succession planning, and capital management. The event will also include a Successors Forum and an awards ceremony honoring top Arab family enterprises.
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has cautioned private sector establishments that committing specific labour law violations carries fines ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million. The penalties apply to five key infractions, including unauthorised hiring, permit misuse, and shutting down businesses without settling employee status. The ministry reiterated that adherence to UAE labour legislation is mandatory to safeguard workers' rights and preserve lawful employment relations.
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