More China Tourists Visit Australia

Australia has received more Chinese tourists than from any other country so far this year (2011). Chinese travellers accounted for the largest group of visitors to Australia for the first time in February.

Latest Bureau of Statistics figures show 77,700 Chinese visitors arrived in Australia in February -- up 6.1 percent from the same month last year, beating New Zealand, Britain and the United States for the first time.

Combining January and February, arrivals from China rose 25.3 percent or 27,900 visitors, due to the Chinese New Year and international student arrivals. There had been almost 30,000 extra visitors this January and February due to growing international student numbers and more Chinese getting away for the Lunar New Year holiday.

Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive, John Lee, said, China had "incredible potential" for Australia, with a rising and increasingly wealthy middle class. "To meet the needs of growing numbers of Chinese visitors, we must ensure that tourism operators are prepared, with cultural awareness, language skills, cuisine and activities tailored to their needs."

Singapore and Malaysia also rallied strongly -- both up more than 10 percent -- while Japan, traditionally one of Australia's best markets, slipped to fifth place with a 12.5 percent drop to 33,500 visitors.

Total arrivals stood at 498,400, 3.6 percent higher than a year earlier.