Meraas launches ‘Hala China’

The new initiative aims to attract Chinese visitors to the UAE in line with Dubai’s Tourism Vision 2020 strategy. Launched in collaboration with Dubai Holding and DXB Entertainments, Hala China aims to organise events and create tourism packages.

TT Bureau

‘Hala China’ is set to complement Dubai’s rich calendar of events by creating an annual schedule of exciting events hosted at the destinations of these three companies that aims to showcase Dubai and the UAE to Chinese tourists. The novel initiative will also see the creation of new tourism packages that cater to Chinese visitors in seven categories – stay, shop, eat, play, explore, wellness and concierge. The unprecedented initiative will focus on exploring opportunities that encourage and facilitate economic development through both tourism, trade and investment. ‘Hala China’ will see key government ministries and companies in Dubai and China team up to organise events and incentives, which will play a role in further strengthening bilateral relations.
The yearlong pipeline of activities includes a mix of events and programmes spanning food festivals and fashion shows, sporting events, music festivals and Chinese cultural pageants. The various sectors that are expected to witness a positive impact from this initiative include luxury fashion, retail, hospitality, dining, education, sports, photography and weddings.
His Excellency Abdulla Al Habbai, Group Chairman, Meraas, said, “Leveraging the phenomenal success of Dubai’s first-ever Chinese New Year celebrations at City Walk, where Meraas welcomed 22,000 Chinese visitors across its destinations, the ‘Hala China’ initiative will enable Meraas to build on the tremendous progress that has been already made towards this end. In doing so, we have a unique opportunity to share the story of our city with an increasingly mobile Chinese audience, while extending an invitation to explore the possibilities we are creating for a whole new generation.”
‘Hala China’ will begin by focusing on some of key drivers for Chinese visitors to Dubai, such as culture and heritage, entertainment and leisure, and luxury retail. Meraas has created a modern portfolio that includes some of the most fashionable destinations in Dubai. Through ‘Hala China’, Meraas will seek to capture the imagination of Chinese visitors to City Walk, The Beach, Boxpark, Last Exit, The Outlet Village, Al Seef, as well as upcoming destinations like Dubai Arena and Dubai Harbour.