32 Destinations A billion-dirham project is underway in Ajman’s Al
Tallah area which will comprise retail space, a university and one of the UAE’s biggest secondary schools
AJMAN Ajman Tourism Development Department / ME4230
The UAE’s smallest emirate, Ajman makes a big impact – offering a picturesque and relaxed alternative to the nation’s bustling metropolises. Visitor numbers are rising and, according
to Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD), the emirate welcomed almost 543,000 guests last year – with more than half of its visi- tors coming from the UAE, the GCC and other nations in the Arab world. Tourists stayed a total of 1.28 million nights,
generating revenue of US$111.9 million (AED411 million). Attractions in the emirate also proved to be a major draw, with Ajman Museum, situ- ated in an 18th
25,500 people pass through its doors. Ajman is also one of the region’s largest
centres for building dhows, the traditional vessels which were once a vital part of the UAE’s lucrative pearl trade. Dhows can still be seen making their way out of Ajman harbour, offer- ing a fascinating glimpse of times gone by. This part of town is also ideal for a fun family night
out, while the Corniche is a hub of activity with plenty of options for shopping, dining or simply strolling along the shore. The Ajman government is working hard
towards its ‘Ajman 2021’ plan, which aims to ensure a “happy, cohesive society” that behaves responsibly towards the environment and also seeks to achieve comprehensive development within the region. The ATDD has launched a promotional
century fort, seeing more than
smartphone app to capitalise on rising visitor numbers. The Visit Ajman app offers a compre- hensive introduction to the emirate with all the latest tourism industry news, a detailed guide to the hospitality scene, culture, heritage and travel agencies, plus events and activities. With a focus on attracting visitors, infra-
The Ajman government’s ‘Ajman 2021’ plan aims to ensure a “happy, cohesive society” that behaves responsibly towards the environment
structure development is a key priority. The emirate’s main project is Al Zorah Resort, a US$544 million (AED2 billion) mixed-use development along the coast. The 5.4 million square-metre site will add five residential neigh- bourhoods, hotels, commercial space and leisure facilities, next to Ajman’s first 18-hole championship golf course. Other recent tourism developments show-
cased by ATDD include the 182-key R Hotel Ajman Corniche, due to open this year, and a restaurant complex in the upcoming Ajman Marina. The US$570 million (AED2.1 billion) Ajman International Airport in Al Manama is also scheduled to welcome its first flight next year.
Ajman Ajman coastline
Ajman Corniche
Although China is roughly the same size as the United States, it only has one time zone. This means that at certain times of the year, some regions don’t experience sunrise until 10am or later
CHINA China National Tourist Office in Singapore / AS3370
An ancient land boasting some of the globe’s most iconic sites, China’s rich culture and herit- age make it an outstanding tourism destination. The world’s most populous country, with
almost 1.4 billion citizens, the People’s Republic of China also provides more outbound tourists than any other nation. Last year, 122 million trav- ellers emerged from the country – an increase of 4.3 percent from 2015. Eight of the 10 most popular destinations for Chinese tourists were within Asia, with just the United States and the Maldives making up the other small percentage of the list. The top three favourite countries to visit were Thailand (8.77 million tourists), South Korea (8.04 million) and Japan (6 million). Multiple other countries saw a spike in visitor
numbers from China after relaxing visa regula- tions, with Vietnam and the Philippines enjoying increases of 166 percent and 124 percent respec- tively, followed by India (up 81 percent) and the UAE (up 78 percent). The market’s untapped potential remains enormous. Fewer than 10
percent of Chinese citizens currently own a pass- port, but the country’s fast-growing financial strength looks set to boost that number. In terms of inbound tourism, the first half
of 2016 saw a 3.8 percent increase in visitor numbers – with a reported 67.87 million people coming into to China. South Korea proved to be the country’s top tourist market with 13.3 million visitors, while almost two in three visitors (63.7 percent) came from other Asian nations. China’s tourism development strategy until
2020 sees a focus on widespread infrastruc- ture improvement across the country, as well as championing visitor safety and the upkeep of popular public spaces. Among China’s main attractions, which include 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City of Beijing and Shanghai’s futur- istic waterfront, The Bund. As tourism grows in China, so does the
China’s tourism development strategy until 2020 sees a focus on widespread infrastructure improvement across the country, as well as championing visitor safety
number of international hotel brands. In 2017 alone, the long list of properties opening in the country include The St. Regis Changsha, The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan, Ritz-Carlton Haikou, Anantara Guiyang Resort, W Shanghai – The Bund, Rosewood Sanya in Haitang Bay, Bulgari Shanghai and Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen. The country’s airport infrastructure plans
are equally as bold. Thirty new airports are in the works nationwide, with another 44 sched- uled for completion by 2020, ready to meet the growing influx of international visitors.
Shanghai Great Wall of China
Beijing
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