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Gold Coast Tourism Welcomes Year of The Dragon
February 14, 2012
Gold Coast Tourism has good reason to celebrate the Chinese New Year this week as forecasts for visitor growth out of the Asian powerhouse place it as the City’s number one international tourism growth market in 2012.
In 2011 the Gold Coast attracted more than 118,000 Chinese visitors and they spent $83 million in the city – a 23% increase on 2011 figures. Gold Coast Tourism expects China will again deliver double digit growth in 2012 thanks to enhanced promotion in-market, easing in visa regulations, and increased airline access between China and south east Queensland.
Gold Coast Tourism is recognised as leading the way in developing tourism business out of China, having established an office in Shanghai in 2009 and having three Chinese language staff including two Chinese nationals on staff.
In the past 12 months, Gold Coast Tourism has done business with 200 Chinese travel agencies, 30 Chinese tour operators, and 30 Chinese media to generate promotion of the Gold Coast to Chinese travel consumers. Locally, Gold Coast Tourism has assisted 40 tourism operators with Chinese cultural and service training to enhance the City’s ability to make the most out of Chinese business.
Recently, Gold Coast Tourism secured the first Chinese charter flight into Gold Coast Airport, on board the China Southern Airlines flight were 300 of some of China’s most influential airline and travel industry bosses and a commitment to China - Gold Coast direct flights within three years.
“We are confident that this will be a record year for Chinese visitation to the Gold Coast, already our travel industry partners in our three biggest markets of Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou are reporting strong bookings for the Chinese New Year period and beyond,” Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter said.
“With the increased promotion and popularity of the Gold Coast in China as a premier holiday destination comes increased business and investment opportunities for the City, the new $900 million Jewel Towers development by Chinese developer RDG in Surfers Paradise is a perfect example of that.”
ENDS
John Kaarsberg Gold Coast Tourism, Manager Media Development 0411 511 029 or john.kaarsberg@gctourism.com
