Egypt looks to growing Chinese tourism to help economy

Global Business

Egypt looks to growing Chinese tourism to help economy

With Chinese tourism to Egypt on the rise and a unique travel practice is gaining wider notice.

It’s a Chinese take on tipping that doesn’t involve cash but instead a small, red ointment-filled tin.

The balm is said to have a myriad of uses. CCTV’s Yasser Hakim reports on its popularity with many Egyptians.

Tourism is a main source of hard currency for Egypt. That’s why the North African nation has been trying to attract more visitors from China, source of the largest number of tourists around the world.

According to the government, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Egypt has exploded from around 65,000 back in 2014, to more than 200,000 this year.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visited Egypt in January and it contributed to the surge in numbers. Now, Egypt hopes a steady stream of Chinese will support the ailing economy.

Chinese tourists have been bringing to hand out to hotel staff, tour guides and even policemen, instead of a customary cash tip. One restaurant manager told me it’s become very popular with locals there.

So what began as an alternative to cash tipping has created Egyptian demand for a uniquely Chinese product.


Middle East cruise industry looks to Chinese tourists for greater fortune

Dubai wants to attract more Chinese cruise tourists. The city’s expecting to welcome more ships and visitors than ever before this year, but there are concerns about the long term growth of the industry. CCTV’s Nawied Jabarkhyl reports.

It’s cruise season once again in Dubai and from this October until July next year, the city’s expecting 600,000 passengers to disembark on its shores. That’s a 7 percent increase on 2015. With cruise visitor numbers rising steadily in recent years, a major focus for officials here is on emerging markets like India and China.

According to government figures, in the first nine months of 2016, almost 385,000 Chinese tourists visited Dubai – a 13 percent rise year on year. It’s now the 7th largest source market, and in September, Chinese nationals were granted visas on arrival in the UAE. The U.N. World Tourism Organization also says they’re the world’s biggest spenders when on holiday.


David Becker on Chinese outbound travel trends

To discuss the changes and growth in Chinese outbound travel trends, CCTV America’s Sean Callebs spoke with David Becker, CEO of Attract China.

China's revenue from tourism from 2005 to 2015 (in billion yuan)

The graph shows revenues of the Chinese tourism industry from 2005 to 2015. In 2005, revenues from tourism had amounted to about 769 billion yuan.