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Dubai Parks and Resorts signs partnership with UnionPay

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The largest multi-themed leisure and entertainment destination in the Middle East, Dubai Parks and Resorts, has signed a partnership with leading Chinese payment gateway UnionPay.

UnionPay is the preferred payment platform for the majority of outbound Chinese travellers. It has six billion subscribers globally, making it the largest cardholder base in the world. The cards are accepted in 170 countries and the brand partners with over 1,800 institutions.

Dubai Parks and Resorts entered the partnership with UnionPay on 1 August 2018. The parks hopes to target the growing number of Chinese visitors.

This partnership follows the start of the Hala China initiative. The initiative was started to encourage investment and tourism between the UAE and China.unionpay

China is one of the top tourism source markets for Dubai. There were over a quarter of a million visitors to the Emirate in Q1 2018.

Ahmed Al Rayyes, Chief Commercial Officer at DXB Entertainments, said: “Chinese tourists make up a major segment of visitors to Dubai every year. We want to encourage these visitors to come to Dubai Parks and Resorts and enjoy a host of attractions for the whole family.

“Furthermore, the strategic partnership with UnionPay reinforces our commitment to establish Dubai as a preferred international family destination, and we have signed recently other strategic partnerships with several industry leaders such as Emirates Airlines, Dubai International Airport and the Dubai Taxi Corporation.”

DXB Entertainments, the owner and operator of Dubai Parks and Resorts, have seen improvements to revenue and reduced EBITDA losses, as footfall soars.

DXB saw 1,463,477 visitors in the first half of 2018 compared to 1,000,812 in the same period last year – an increase of 46%.

In the first half, international visitors made up 38% of total visits with the largest contributors coming from the MENA, GCC and the Indian subcontinent.

Image courtesy Dubai Parks and Resorts and Union Pay

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Michael Mander

Michael Mander

I am a journalist from Essex, England. I enjoy travelling, and love exploring attractions around the world. I graduated from Lancaster University in 2018. Twitter @michael_mander.

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