Premier

Boosting Chinese Tourism To Drive Local Jobs

26 July 2017

The Andrews Labor Government is partnering with China’s biggest online travel agency to attract more visitors from our biggest tourism market, creating more jobs and bringing more business to Victoria.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren witnessed the signing of an agreement in Shanghai today that will see Victoria partner with CTRIP – China’s leading provider of travel services – to market our state to its registered user base of more than 250 million people.

It’s a great opportunity to tap into CTRIP’s membership network and database to encourage more Chinese visitors to come to see firsthand why Victoria has the best of everything.

The new partnership will help to grow our Chinese tourism market, with more than 570,000 visitors spending around $2.6 billion in the 12 months to March. Melbourne is a popular destination for Chinese travellers, with 25 per cent of all visitors to Victoria coming from northern China in the past year.

That’s why Mr Eren is opening a new Visit Victoria office in Beijing on Friday. Establishing a presence in the capital will strengthen ties and allow us to work even closer to promote all things Victorian.

Key airline partners such as Air China, Hainan Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines are all based in Beijing, as well as Tourism Australia and China’s most influential TV network, CCTV.

Mr Eren will meet with a number of these airlines to lure even more direct flights to our state and also explore new opportunities to further cement Victoria’s reputation as the sporting capital of Australia.

Discussions will take place with major sports diplomacy groups including the Shanghai Tennis Association, Chinese Cricket Association and the sports arm of ecommerce giant Alibaba, Alisports.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren

“We’re working hard to win an even larger share of the China market because we know that more visitors means more jobs and a stronger Victoria.”

“This new deal with China’s biggest online travel agency gives us an incredible opportunity to speak to millions more people and show them what they can enjoy by coming to Victoria.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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