Australia to streamline visa process for Chinese visitors

The new pilot program to streamline the visa process for Chinese visitors has been welcomed by peak industry body, the National Tourism Alliance (NTA).

The online visa application trial will help Australia to keep up a competitive position amongst its global rivals for the millions of Chinese travellers who go overseas every year.

“In the year ending September 2014, visitors from China to Australia increased by 10% to 736,000”, said NTA CEO Juliana Payne. “China is expected to contribute nearly one-quarter (24 per cent) of the increase in inbound visitor arrivals over the next seven years."

“Chinese visitors are also top of the list for the share of spending in Australia, which makes them a key market,” Ms Payne said.

“Streamlining the visa process for visitors by cutting red tape is one of the many ways that the Federal Government can help Australian tourism to maximise its economic and job creation potential,” Ms Payne said.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia