Conference to build cultural bridge between China and UAE

Dubai, April 9, 2012 (WAM) - Faced with a rapidly growing number of affluent Chinese visitors heading to the UAE, the need for firms across the Gulf state to have a better grasp of Chinese culture and their approach to business has never been greater. An estimated 300,000 Chinese tourists travelled to the UAE last year and spent US$334 million, according to a study by MasterCard, making Chinese tourists the most lucrative for the UAE. Per capita spending by visitors from China was Dh4,092 per tourist compared with AED3,477 per average British tourist and Dh3,996 per average Kuwaiti tourist, figures showed. To help UAE firms take advantage of this growth, the Dubai Chinese Learning Centre (DCLC), in partnership with Dubai-based event organiser The Main Event (TME), will hold the Chinese Cultural Awareness, Social '&' Business Communication Conference, on 23rd-24th May, to enable professionals to better understand the customs and principles of dealing with Chinese tourists to the UAE. In March this year Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways signed an MoU with China Eastern Airlines that included joint route and schedule co-ordination. Meanwhile, Dubai's Emirates continues to increase the number of routes for its Airbus A380 to China. Not to be outdone, China's big airlines are embarking on an aggressive expansion plan to match that of the major Gulf carriers. The rising number of Chinese tourists in the UAE reflects the overall jump in the number heading overseas. Around 57.4 million Chinese went abroad in 2011, up 20.4% from 2010 according to the NTA. This figure is expected to increase to around 84 million by 2015. Day one of the conference in Dubai will focus on Chinese cultural awareness and experts will introduce delegates to a number of topics including language, belief and customs; cultural values and attitudes; the Chinese socio-economic environment; social etiquette and protocol and building relationships. The second day will look at social and business communications and cover areas such as the behaviours and needs of the Chinese traveller; negotiating with Chinese customers; dining and entertainment and greetings and introductions. The conference will also cover titles and forms, colour symbolism in Chinese culture and the Chinese way of negotiating. - Emirates News Agency, WAM