Chinese New Year celebrations fills Dubai landmark hotel

Dubai's famous landmark on Friday evening was immersed in traditional Chinese culture as seven-star Burj Al Arab Hotel celebrated the Chinese Lunar New Year, the Year of the Horse. On the first day of Chinese Lunar Year of the Horse, Dubai dedicated the night to the event with a colorful show in the Burj Al-Arab. After sunset, lanterns decorated the road toward the Burj Al Arab, while the character "horse" was written in Chinese cursive calligraphy by the famous Chinese calligrapher Lin Zhongyang, projected with a green laser on the hotel's facade. In an animated laser show, the character "horse" transformed itself into Chinese New Year greetings for 2014. On the hotel's private sailing beach, a festive paper cutting show was held. Tall red lanterns were hanging and Chinese hostesses in Cheongsam dresses welcomed guests. People exchanged greetings, laughter and tasted traditional Chinese food, celebrating the arrival of the Chinese New Year. Heinrich Morio, the general manager of Burj Al Arab Hotel, in his brief speech, extended New Year's blessing to all the Chinese people and welcomed more Chinese tourists to visit the hotel. Tang Weibin, China's Consul General in Dubai, dotted the eyes of lions for the traditional Chinese lion dance. The audience hailed the dance with a long and warm applause. Katie Malone, the director of marketing and public relations of the Burj al Arab, told Xinhua and reporters that China has become one of the UAE's main tourist source countries, especially during the annual Lunar New Year. Dubai attracts large numbers of Chinese tourists for holiday shopping and the Burj al Arab is the most popular high-end resort in Dubai for the Chinese tourists, she said. Malone added that the Dubai government acknowledges that luring Chinese tourist groups was of great importance. Therefore, state- owned hotel group Jumeirah Group recruits a large number of Chinese-speaking employees to narrow the distance with Chinese friends. As the final activities of the Friday celebration, gorgeous fireworks illuminated the sky above the hotel beach. Many guests expressed their hope that China and the United Arab Emirates could further enhance exchanges and write great common chapters in the future.