China already serves as the emirate’s fastest growing inbound tourism market, with hospitality establishments recording a 63 percent increase in visitors from the country in 2016.

The UAE’s recent move to introduce visa-on-arrival for travellers from China is expected to further boost tourism numbers this year.

This coincides with SCDTA’s active marketing campaign to attract more visitors from China which has included opening a representative office, recruiting Chinese staff and adding a Chinese language website to Sharjah’s tourism portal, among other initiatives.