New South Wales tourism operators to promote state in China

SYDNEY, Australia – Tourism operators from across New South Wales will travel to China this week to sell the State as a destination of choice to key Chinese travel partners.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said more than 30 NSW tourism operators will take part in the mission, which runs from 22-28 March inWuhan and Guangzhou, two cities identified as target markets in NSW’s China Tourism Strategy 2012-2020.

“This initiative helps us take advantage of the growing demand from China, with NSW operators showcasing experiences on offer in our State to key Chinese trade partners, increasing their knowledge and awareness of our destinations and products,” Ms. Chipchase said.
“It will also assist NSW suppliers to build and strengthen their relationships with Chinese product managers, and provide opportunities to contract with wholesalers.”

“China is our State’s top inbound visitor market. In the year ending September, more than 443,000 Chinese visitors stayed 12.1 million nights in NSW, spending more than$1.5 billion, so it’s important we continue to work with the Chinese travel tradeindustry to further increase the number of Chinese visitors to NSW and ensure NSW remains the most popular destination,” she said.

Destination NSW has invited participating operators to extend their stay in China to take part in a roadshow being run as part of a campaign with China Travel International Guangdong.

“Operators attending the mission have been invited to take part in the Guilin leg of this roadshow, which will visit six key cities withinSouth China to promoteSydney and NSW itineraries and further develop emerging markets,” Ms. Chipchase said.

“This is another great opportunity to show why NSW is Australia’s number one destination, highlighting some of the great tours, activities, accommodation options and spectacular locations that make us a perfect destination for Chinese travellers,” she said.

The NSW tourism operators participating in the Greater China Mission have received support from the NSW Government’s International Business Development Program, delivered by Destination NSW. The mission has been organised by Destination NSW in conjunction with Tourism and Events Queensland.

Participating NSW tourism operators include:

* AAT Kings * Australian Cruise Group * Balloon Aloft * BridgeClimb Sydney * Captain Cook Cruises * Choice Hotels Australasia * Discover Jervis Bay – Dolphin Watch * Destination Tweed * Fantasea Adventure Cruising * Featherdale Wildlife Park * Four Seasons Sydney * Grand Pacific Drive * Hunter Valley Resort * Instyle Chauffeured Limousines * JJ Travel Service and Benz Luxury Coach & Tour * Lets Go Surfing * Merlin Entertainments Group * Moonshadow Cruises & Port Stephens 4WD Tours * Mowbray Park Farm Holidays * Nicks Restaurant & Bar Group * Oaks Hotels & Resorts * Shangri-la Hotel, Sydney * Starwood Australia Hotels * Sydney Opera House * Sydney Seaplanes * Tamboi Queen Cruises * TFE Hotels * The Grace Hotel * The Legendary Pacific Coast * The Star * Taronga Zoo * Trippas White Group * YHA Australia