China drop not raining on parade
nese and Japanese visitor numbers, it’s unbelievable,” he said. “I’m at Palm Cove picking up seven Chinese people now.
“They rang direct to book, not through a travel agent.”
Ms Close said the industry was primed to capitalise on the start of Chinese New Year next month.
“This year we have additional charter flights from Shanghai which should help numbers, however, domestic capacity is full from Sydney and Melbourne where most Chinese visitors travel from,” she noted. “The slowdown in the Chinese economy is expected to start taking its toll during the year, but should not affect Chinese New Year.”
One of the biggest issues facing the industry is the Australian Government’s drawnout process for approving Chinese visas, which affects independent travellers wanting a shorter lead time for travel.
Ms Close said TTNQ had a 12-month marketing strategy with Tourism Australia and Tourism and Events Queensland to support the region’s direct China Southern flights which should sustain, and hopefully grow, flights.
“In addition to the Chinese market we will continue to work in our key markets of domestic, Japan, the United Kingdom, Europe, North America and New Zealand.”