Tourism Council WA has welcomed the announcement that a seasonal service between Shanghai and Perth has been secured for Chinese New Year 2024.
Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the four-week seasonal trial was expected to inject more than $9 million into the Western Australian economy through these high spending visitors.
"The trial is expected to bring 14 full planes of Chinese visitors to WA to celebrate Chinese New Year, catch up with friends and relatives, and enjoy a relaxing holiday in WA," Mr Hall said.
"Chinese visitors were the highest spending visitors pre-COVID, with the spend per visitor estimated at $5,000 in 2019."
Mr Hall said as Western Australians head overseas in increasing numbers, Western Australia had to attract Chinese visitors to WA and onwards to regional destinations.
"It is critical for the State Government to secure an ongoing direct service between Shanghai and Perth to recover WA's Chinese visitors, who are the highest spending visitors and the second largest source of international arrivals to Australia," he said.
Tourism Council WA will provide industry training ahead of the trial to assist businesses to tap into the Chinese tourism market and provide high-quality, culturally appropriate experiences.
