Tourism Council WA has welcomed the announcement that direct flights between Guangzhou and Perth have resumed.
Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the direct flights were a key step in recovering international visitors to Western Australia, as Chinese visitors were the highest spending visitors and the fourth largest source of international arrivals to Australia.
Mr Hall said Chinese visitors enjoyed premium wine and food experiences, with visitors and spend from the China market making them WA's fourth largest international market.
"Chinese visitors are the highest spending visitors, with the average spend per visitor estimated at more than $4,000 per trip," Mr Hall said.
Mr Hall said as Western Australians headed overseas in increasing numbers, Western Australia had to attract Chinese visitors to Perth and onwards to regional destinations.
"Chinese visitors appreciate Western Australia's unique environment and open skies and are hungry for premium regional wine and produce, particularly the WA rock lobster," he said.
"With the new permanent lobster arrangements, WA's unique lobster catch-and-cook tours will appeal to Chinese visitors and showcase WA's idyllic coastline, with a tour generating on average $4,300 spend per visitor per lobster."
Mr Hall said Chinese visitors were crucial to tourism attractions, providing customers during lower demand periods such as mid-week.
"Chinese visitors are important for tour and coach companies providing multi-day tours for international guests," he said.
