Australia expects Chinese New Year Celebrations to Boost Tourist Numbers

The 2004 Chinese New Year celebrations are expected to spark a rise in visitors from key Asian countries holidaying in Australia to coincide with the festivities, Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) Managing Director, Ken Boundy said today.

Mr Boundy said the Chinese New Year period is traditionally a peak time for tourists, with visitor numbers from Asia during the Chinese New Year totalling around 240,000 last year. During the month of the celebrations arrivals from China jump by around 30 per cent compared to other months of the year.

"Australia has traditionally been a popular destination for travellers looking to celebrate the Chinese New Year festivities, highlighting the significant contribution of cultural events in boosting international tourist numbers," Mr Boundy said.

"Celebrations in Sydney, Melbourne and other cities around Australia are expected to inject a welcome boost in arrivals from China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Travellers also use this holiday period to visit family and friends who live in Australia.

"This is great news for the tourism industry, which saw a turnaround in tourist arrivals from Asia in the final quarter of 2003 after several months of declines - highlighting that Australia's popularity as a holiday destination for Asian travellers has not waned.

"China in particular continues to be a fast growing market for Australia and festivities such as the Chinese New Year provide new reasons for Chinese travellers to visit our great country."

The ATC launched ad campaigns in key Asian markets promoting Australia, to ensure the country remains a popular destination for travel during the Chinese New Year holiday period. Campaigns were conducted in Hong Kong, Singapore and China promoting Australia and stimulating travel bookings.

Latest figures for the 11 months to November 2003, indicate that arrivals from North East Asia were up by 4 per cent while arrivals from South East Asia increased by 11 per cent, compared to the same month of 2002.