Desert wonderland rolls out red carpet

With the new visa-on-arrival policy, Dubai hopes to lure more Chinese visitors to stay for a few nights. [Photo provided to China Daily]

He says the new visa policy will attract Chinese visitors to stay in Dubai for a few nights rather than just stop over.

Statistics show that the number of overnight Chinese visitors to Dubai was 450,000 in 2015, up 29 percent from the previous year.

From January to September, the number was 384,000, making China the 7th biggest market for Dubai.

Dubai attracted more than 14.2 million overnight visitors last year and it aims to hit 20 million by 2020.

"Our average growth rate is 7 to 8 percent per year. We're trying to maintain it and improve," he says.

Speaking about the bureau's role, he says: "China is the only country where we have four offices

(Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu) because of its importance. We have big goals for the Chinese market with the new visa policy, and will work closely with our partners to ensure that the Chinese have a good experience," he says.