More than 30 NSW tourism operators will spend a week in China as part of the Greater China Trade Mission which runs from 16 to 22 March. The non-Ministerial trade mission includes activities in the cities of Qingdao and Shanghai.

“The NSW Liberal & Nationals Government is determined to grow the State’s visitor economy and sell NSW as a tourist destination to the world,” Mr Stoner said.

“China is a priority market for our State and this industry trade mission builds on the Ministerial visits the Premier and I have taken to the region to promote the strengths of our State’s tourism sector.

“We are taking advantage of rising demand in China through our China Tourism Strategy, which has seen China emerge as our number one source of inbound tourists.

“In the year ended September 2013, NSW welcomed 413,000 visitors from China, an increase of almost 18 per cent on the previous year. These visitors stayed 11.6 million nights and spent over $1.3 billion.

“Building a strong rapport with the Chinese travel trade is key to helping the NSW Government achieve its goal of doubling overnight visitor expenditure in NSW by 2020,” he said

Mr Stoner said the opportunity for NSW tourism operators to meet with their stakeholders face to face is invaluable in terms of increasing understanding of the wonderful products we have on offer and build awareness of our State.

“The Mission will ensure Chinese travel trade keeps Sydney and regional NSW top of mind as a great holiday destination,” Mr Stoner said.

“Many of the travel agents that the Mission will meet have organisations across greater China, including, mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, so it’s a perfect opportunity to spread the message far and wide,” he said.

The NSW tourism operators participating in the mission have received support from the NSW Government’s International Business Development Program, delivered by Destination NSW.

Participating NSW tourism operators include

  • AAT Kings

  • Australian Cruise Group

  • Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism

  • BridgeClimb Sydney

  • Captain Cook Cruises & Sealink

  • Choice Hotels Australasia

  • Destination Port Stephens

  • Dolphin Watch – Discover Jervis Bay

  • Featherdale Wildlife Park

  • Grand Pacific Drive

  • Hunter Valley Resort

  • JJ Travel & Benz Luxury Coach and Tour

  • Let's Go Surfing – Bondi Beach

  • Marriott Australia

  • Merlin Entertainments Group

  • Moonshadow Cruises & Port Stephens 4WD Tours

  • Nick's Restaurant & Bar Group

  • PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney & PARKROYAL Parramatta

  • Platinum Pro Golf Tours

  • Radisson Blu Hotel Sydney

  • Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

  • Starwood Hotels & Resorts

  • Sydney Opera House

  • Sydney Seaplanes

  • Tamboi Queen Cruises

  • Taronga Zoo

  • The Grace Hotel

  • The Legendary Pacific Coast

  • Toga Hotels

  • Trippas White Group

  • YHA Australia

China Tourism Strategy

International Business Development Program

Download a PDF version of this media release (PDF – 297.0 KB)