Improved visas will attract more Chinese visitors for Australia

SYDNEY - Speaking at the China National Tourism Administration Dinner in Sydney last night, Shadow Minister for Tourism, Bob Baldwin said, given the opportunity, a newly elected Coalition Government would engage tourism from a foreign affairs and trade perspective.
“Mr Baldwin has outlined some strong and incredibly positive initiatives that would deliver straight-forward changes and provide an immediate impact on our connection with the growing independent traveller segment out of China,” Ms Mariani said.
“Initiatives such as electronic lodgement of visas and streamlined visa application options – key advancements that ATEC has advocated for – are vital offerings to a market that is growing so rapidly and is so digitally engaged.
“The China market has proven it has an enormous importance for Australian tourism and these initiatives have the potential to really open up the full growth opportunities – particularly from the more affluent and adventurous independent traveller.
“Recent statistics show that only half of first time Chinese visitors to Australia are part of a group tour package and only 28% of returning visitors take this option. Responding quickly to the changing demands and expectations of this market is crucial to ensure we leverage this growth potential to the fullest.”
Ms Mariani said allowing multiple entry visas for Chinese visitors is another vital element in supporting Australian tourism to compete effectively in the international market.
“While Australia has the natural advantage of proximity to China, we face fierce competition from Europe and the US in attracting visitors.  The US is already ahead of us in offering Chinese visitors multiple entry visas and we must break down the barriers to access and enable these visitors to return and enjoy Australia’s tourism offering as many times as possible.”
 “Chinese visitors are our biggest spending and one of our fastest growing markets, and Australia should be building a visa system that encourages their engagement.”
 ATEC has been working to support the tourism industry’s quality of service and understanding of Chinese visitors through its Welcoming Chinese Visitors program which has delivered face-to-face training sessions to more than 1000 people across Australia.  With on-line training modules launched last week, this program can now be delivered to the entire industry with the ease of accessing the e-learning modules in their own time.
 Alongside training and development partner AVANA,  ATEC is also part of a new consortium that has been successful in a subsequent STIG process to support building further industry capacity under the banner of ‘Servicing Chinese Visitors’.
“The Servicing Chinese Visitors program will improve the standard of Chinese speaking guides, and therefore the experience of our Chinese visitors with the destination. Graduates will gain a Certificate III in Tourism and will create a pool of well qualified, certified and locally based guides to accompany tour groups from China and to service the needs of the Australian industry in the delivery of their experiences to their Chinese guests. 
“At an industry level, ATEC is supporting tourism businesses to be ‘China Ready’ and we welcome the initiatives announced by Mr Baldwin as an important element in fully engaging with the potential of the Chinese market.”

Sourced: TravelDailyNews