The Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region is now enhancing tourism development to become a distinctive international tourism destination and join the construction of the “Silk Road Economic Belt.” As China’s largest agglomeration area of the Hui ethnic group, Ningxia has had natural connections with the Arab states since ancient times. Over the past few years, the China-Arab States Expo and the construction of Ningxia Inland Opening-up Economic Pilot Zone has provided opportunities for China-Arab States collaboration.

“As the bond that connects China with the Arab States, the tourism industry will help Ningxia join the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt more actively,” said Xu Xiaoping, the vice-director of Ningxia Tourism Bureau. Nearly 4,000 mosques and widespread Halal food and Muslim commodities across the region left deep impressions regarding Hui ethnic group style for tourists visiting Ningxia, he added.

The China Hui Culture Park, distinctive Hui ethnic group villages and the China-Arab States Axis scenic spot which is under construction have formed distinctive Muslim tourism routes. The first World Muslim Tourism Entrepreneur Conference was held in Ningxia in 2013 with businesspeople from 20 other countries exploring cooperation opportunities on the spot. The 2015 session will also be held in Ningxia, according to a spokesperson from the Ningxia Tourism Bureau.

A global Muslim tourism market worth more US$600 billion will create great opportunities for Ningxia tourism development, Xu said.