Expected Chinese visitor surge to give Oman tourism sector another boost

Muscat: Chinese tourism to Oman is expected to grow substantially for the next few years.
The growth is expected to be 12 per cent annually from 2018-2022, according to a report by the Arabian Travel Market.
The overall number of Chinese tourists travelling to the GCC is expected to increase 81 per cent from 1.6 million in 2018 to 2.9 million in 2022, according to data from the report.
Saudi Arabia is expected to experience the highest proportionate increase in arrivals from China, with a projected CAGR of 33 per cent between 2018 and 2022.
The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for inbound Chinese visitors to the UAE during that period was 13 per cent, with Oman coming in third at 11 per cent.
Oman has already experienced a significant growth in Chinese visitors from 2013-2017. The CAGR during that period was 14 per cent.
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNTWO), outbound Chinese tourists spent approximately US$270 billion in 2017, up from $261 billion in 2016.
The latest research from Colliers International, in partnership with ATM 2019, reveals that GCC countries currently attract just one per cent of China’s total outbound market; however, positive trends are expected over the coming years, as 400 million Chinese tourists are expected to go abroad in 2030, up from 154 million in 2018.
Looking at the economic drivers, China’s links with the GCC have strengthened in recent years due to the introduction of additional and direct airline routes, the strong growth of the Chinese economy and Chinese tourists’ increasing disposable income.
“It is interesting to note that just seven per cent of the total Chinese population has a passport, compared to approximately 40 per cent of Americans and 76 per cent of British,” Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said.
“The outbound Chinese market therefore represents a vast, untapped pool of affluent and adventurous travellers and the GCC is stepping up its efforts to ensure it remains a destination of choice,” Curtis added.