Cairns has hosted the inaugural Australia-China Tourism Summit, part of the Australian Government’s $30 million commitment to the China market over the next four years.
The Vice Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration, Dr Du Jiang, is leading China’s first delegation of tourism officials to Queensland.
Minister Ferguson urged an audience from industry and government to make the most of a market that’s already worth over $3 billion a year to Australia, making China our most valuable market. “Within a decade, visitors from China are forecast to bring $6 billion into the Australian economy in a single year, doubling the current economic value of Chinese visitors to Australia” Minister Ferguson unveiled Tourism Australia’s China 2020 Strategic Plan. “This plan is a major contribution to our thinking on ways to strengthen our relationship on tourism. It gives the Australian tourism industry a clearer direction for enhancing business from China. “Tourism Australia is taking Australia to China via support from industry and governments right across our country.”
He said improving the Approved Destination Status scheme, which has brought thousands of Chinese tour groups to Australia over the past decade, was on the summit’s agenda. “Australia cannot rest on its laurels when it comes to welcoming visitors from China. After all, over 140 countries now enjoy ADS status.
“To stay ahead of the game, we have committed another $4 million to the scheme over four years.”
Minister Ferguson called for substantial new investment in the Australian tourism industry. “To make the most of emerging markets such as China, Australia’s approach must have investment at its core. With strong occupancy rates in capital cities, the time is right for new investment and Australia welcomes foreign investment,” Minister Ferguson said.
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