08-Dec-2017 10:29 AM
Australia China Business Council: Jetstar new direct flight from Zhengzhou
Direct News Source
08-Dec-2017 Today saw the first arrival in Melbourne of Jetstar's new direct flight from Zhengzhou-an important transportation hub in Central China. Several hundred Chinese people boarded the flight in Zhengzhou yesterday, including 20 Henan Province officials. The ten and half hour flight was welcomed in Victoria by the Minister for Tourism and Major Events, John Eren.
ACBC research, in partnership with LEK Consulting, has shown that while one million Chinese tourists arrived in Australia this year, by 2025 this number is expected to rise to 3.3 million. The new Jetstar flight alone is expected to bring an extra 35,000 Chinese travellers to Victoria each year-and we know that most Chinese travellers visit two or three cities while they are here. Our report, The Chinese Tourism Economy: Reaching Australia's Potential, also showed that Chinese tourists benefit Australia in ways that go far beyond their direct economic impact: they are more likely to buy Australian products upon their return, to study and even to invest in Australia.
We also know that Chinese visitors are the highest spending group of all travellers to Australia. Last year, expenditure by travellers from China in Victoria increased by 12.7 per cent to $2.6 billion, 35 per cent of all tourism expenditure in that state.
In his recent speech to the 19th National Congress, President Xi acknowledged a tension between China's 'unbalanced and inadequate development and the people's ever-growing needs for a better life.' As China continues to add Australia's population to its middle class each year, Australia can play an important role in securing a 'better life' for the Chinese people-and tourism opportunities play an important role in this effort.
Here in Australia, we have a lot to offer: pristine beaches
and other first-class natural assets, unique flora and fauna, as well as great shopping, cultural and dining experiences. It's no wonder that several states are making serious efforts to attract the Chinese tourist dollar. South Australia has recently recruited a Chinese superstar, Huang Xiaoming, who has around 54 million social media followers on Weibo, as an ambassador for their state. And this week Queensland welcomed the first arrival of a new China Southern Airlines flight between Cairns and Guangzhou, which is expected to add $90 million per year to the local economy.