With the spread of coronavirus under control and domestic leisure travel growing, Middle East travel professionals are now looking to China to initiate international tourism. A joint survey conducted by the Ivy Alliance Tourism Consulting, China Comfort Travel Group, and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), was discussed by a panel of experts during the three-day ATM Virtual event.

The Virtual ATM China Tourism Forum, took an in-depth look at the potential of the Chinese outbound leisure market post Covid-19’s closed borders and what overseas destinations and attractions can do to reassure and convince Chinese tourists, that their destination is safe to visit.

Danielle Curtis, exhibition director of Middle East in Arabian Travel Market (ATM) said: “In China we are already witnessing the green-shoots of recovery and many industry experts are looking to China to kickstart international tourism.”

Taleb Rifai, chairman of International Institute of Peace for Tourism and former secretary general of the UNWTO said: “After 9/11, people had to get used to security restrictions such as removing their shoes and belts, no liquids, now that is a way of life. People are now afraid to travel, but things will change, new protocols will be introduced and the quicker that happens the more trust and confidence will be communicated, bringing travellers back.”

Nearly half of those questioned in the survey said they preferred group tours but given the coronavirus outbreak, many Chinese would now travel, in smaller groups catering for better social distancing.