Guide to help capitalise on China boom

A NEW guide aims to help Tasmanian tourism businesses that wish to give Chinese visitors a top experience.

Asian tourists Benita Ye, Jason Wong and Cadence Yip at Darling Harbour, today. NSW is enjoying a tourism boom made in China with an 18 per cent spike in Chinese visitors this year. Chinese tourists have now overtaken New Zealanders as the top tourists to NSW.

AVOID the number four, provide disposable slippers and write down key information — these are just some of the tips contained in a new guide for Tasmanian businesses hoping to give Chinese tourists a top experience.

The guide, produced by the Tasmanian Hospitality Association and funded by the State Government, will be distributed to association members to help them cater for the growing number of Chinese people holidaying in Tasmania.

China is Tasmania’s fastest-growing international tourism market, with numbers doubling to 18,900 during the 12 months to March.

Association general manager Steve Old said the guide contained practical, low-cost measures that even the smallest operator could make to vastly improve the experience of Chinese guests.

“There’s always a lot of talk about how the top end of the industry is ready to deal with the influx of tourists, but we’ve got to make sure that ... a small venue is able to handle a ­Chinese visitor,” he said.

“It’s those things that show the venue understands their cultural needs and if we can get that right then Tasmania is going to be at the forefront of not only Australia but the rest of the world in relation to getting Chinese tourists here.”

Guide author Bob Priestley, who has worked and travelled extensively in China, said little things like disposable slippers and toothbrushes were extremely important to Chinese visitors.

“If I go to stay with some (Chinese) friends of mine as a guest, they are hurt and irritated with me if I bring my own toothbrush and bring my own things, because I’m not allowing them to give me hospital­ity. It’s a cultural thing,” he said.

“If we really try to help Chinese visitors they will detect that, if we get it a bit wrong that’s actually endearing.”

Premier Will Hodgman said the guide was a blueprint for hospitality and tourism workers across the state on how they could best accommodate the needs of Chinese travellers.

“It will shape everything from the way guests are welcomed, to menu options and marketing strategies,” he said.

Mr Hodgman said a possible visit by the Chinese President later this year would bring an “extraordinary” boost in tourism from China on top of strong growth already ­recorded.