Tourism Minister to double budget on scheme to attract high-flying Chinese tourists

Cashed-up Chinese tour groups are the target of a new Morrison government plan to lure high-spending travellers to Australia in a big bolster to the tourism industry, The Daily Telegraph can reveal.

• Chinese tourism biggest gain for Aussie economy
• Record number of international tourists visit NSW

Cashed-up Chinese tour groups are the target of a new Morrison government plan to lure high-spending travellers to Australia in a big bolster to the tourism industry.

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham will more than double the budget on Tuesday for a scheme which attracts high-flying Chinese tourists spending a massive $865 per head, per night while they’re in Australia.

Over the past 12 months, tourists using the Approved Destination Scheme (ADS) spent about $700 million in NSW.

The scheme works by handing tour operators a special accreditation sought after by Chinese tourists. It targets premium tourists who stay in five star hotels, splashing cash in high-end retailers and dining out in the country’s most ­exclusive restaurants.

Almost 1.3 million Chinese tourists travel to Australia each year spending $11.5 billion. Picture: John Feder

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“Australia’s scheme is regarded as best practice with strict accreditation requirements and ongoing monitoring of tour operators helping to ensure Chinese travellers who visit Australia on a tour get the highest possible quality tourism experience,” Mr Birmingham said.

“It’s a major reason why China is Australia’s fastest-growing and highest-spending inbound tourism market … helping to lure and facilitate the travel of 2.5 million Chinese tourists on tours to Australia.”

Mr Birmingham said the $11 million injection into the scheme he will announce today would easily “pay for itself many times over”.

Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham will double the budget to attract rich Chinese tourists who spend close to $1000 a night in Australia Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

“China still presents enormous opportunities for growth and the more tour groups we can attract to Australia under the ADS, the more tourism dollars injected into Australian businesses and our economy,” he said.

“That’s why this funding boost for ADS is critical to making sure thousands of Chinese tour group tourists who come to Australia have a cracking time while getting a taste for our world-class natural beauty, food and wine, iconic attractions and wildlife.

“Positive experiences as part of a tour group fuel stronger word of mouth endorsements via platforms like WeChat, which in turn helps to attract more tourists including more independent travellers.”

Up to the year ending September 2018 almost 1.3 million Chinese tourists travelled to Australia spending $11.5 billion.