More than 2,800 exhibitors—comprising hotel chains, attractions, destination management firms, aviation partners, and tourism authorities—convened in Dubai for the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, China Daily reported. The event featured a "Nihao! China" pavilion designed to build a commercial platform connecting enterprises and enabling pragmatic business discussions between Chinese and overseas travel traders, according to Liu Yang, director of the Chinese Cultural Center in the UAE.
Dubai's tourism sector reported continued recovery in visitation figures following earlier disruptions tied to regional geopolitical tensions. According to data released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the emirate recorded 6.97 million international overnight visitors during the first eight months of 2026. In August 2026, Dubai hosted approximately 869,000 international overnight visitors—its highest monthly total since February 2026—following month-on-month double-digit growth since March.
Hotel occupancy in Dubai reached 66 percent in August 2026, recovering to 89 percent of the level recorded in August 2025 and rising significantly from 36 percent in March 2026. However, Dubai International Airport recorded approximately 26.6 million passengers during the first five months of 2026, reflecting a year-on-year decline caused by regional airspace disruptions and decreased international flight connectivity.
To support traveler inflows, the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) is actively pursuing Chinese travelers. Shahab Shayan, DCTCM regional director of Asia-Pacific operations, completed several trips to China to strengthen partnerships with Chinese platforms including Ctrip, Xiaohongshu, and Meituan, stating that Dubai is seeking to integrate additional Chinese companies into its tourism and broader economic ecosystem.
Sources
- China Daily Global Edition · 2026-09-30
