Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry will embark on a five-day, five cities roadshow of China as it looks to build on mounting inbound tourism from the People’s Republic.

Led by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, an eight-strong delegation of the emirate’s tourism stakeholders will join the roadshow including hotels, travel agents, attractions and Etihad Airways.

The roadshow, which will feature presentations and networking with trade partners throughout China, will take in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

The roadshow comes as China climbs Abu Dhabi’s hotel guest rankings.

In the first quarter of this year, some 32,259 Chinese checked into the emirate’s hotels and hotel apartments which was a 208 per cent rise on quarter one of 2013.

They delivered 50,253 guest nights – an increase of 139 per cent and stayed, on average 1.58 nights.

China currently ranks as the emirate’s fourth largest overseas market for hotel guests.

“Our task is to build awareness within China of the depth and range of Abu Dhabi’s tourism offering so that we both attract increasing numbers of visitors from the country while encouraging those that do come to stay longer,” said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, director promotions & overseas offices, TCA Abu Dhabi.

“We are confident of making progress as an increasing number of stakeholders are now realising the need to package bespoke product for the Chinese market and some of these will be rolled out during the roadshow.”