Opening the door to Chinese tourists

Following the commencement of direct flights from China with Donghai Airlines, Chinese media and trade delegates will arrive this week to start familiarisation tours of the Top End to find out what the NT has to offer Chinese travellers.

Tourism Minister Lauren Moss said the visit will help to boost NT outback holidays and equip the Greater China delegates to promote and sell the NT from first-hand experience.

“With twice weekly direct flights from Shenzhen to Darwin, it has never a better opportunity to attract Chinese visitors to the NT,” Ms Moss said.

“We are already attracting 18,000 Chinese visitors annually and this direct flight will allow us to meet and exceed our target of 30,000 visitors from China by 2020.”

The media familiarisation with journalists from Guangzhou Daily, Cityzine Magazine, Running Sisters, Southern Metropolis Weekly and freelance blogger Guo Xiao Lan includes visiting Darwin, Mary River, Kakadu National Park and Katherine. 

The media contingent will get to experience first-hand what is on offer including a visit to the Museum and Art Gallery NT, a sunset cruise on Darwin Harbour, Adelaide River Jumping Crocodile Cruise, airboat safari on the Mary River Wetlands, guided rock art tours in Kakadu National Park, a Nit Nit Dreaming Cruise in Katherine, and overnight stays in Wildman Wilderness Lodge, Cooinda Lodge and Cicada Lodge.

The trade familiarisation will see 14 trade delegates from companies including China International Travel Service (CITS) Shenzhen, Shenzhen Comfort Travel Service and GZL International Travel Service take in a number of Top End tourism sites, attractions and accommodation on offer.

The trade delegates itinerary includes tours within Darwin, Litchfield National Park, Kakadu National Park and Katherine where they will experience a scenic flight over Kakadu, guided tours of Ubirr and Nourlangie rock art galleries, a sunset Yellow Water Billabong Cruise, Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise, a visit to Top Didj & Art Gallery and in true Territory-style, Tom Curtain’s Katherine Outback Experience.

“Making the NT a ‘China Ready Destination’ is important so we can benefit from the growing visitor market and create and sustain more local jobs,” Ms Moss said.

“Last year China was Australia’s second largest inbound market for visitor arrivals and the largest market for total expenditure and visitor nights.”