Tourism industry says China boom not over yet


The China tourism boom isn't over for Cairns, at least according to the tourism industry.

Last week economist Pete Faulkner questioned whether the rapid rise of Chinese visitors to TNQ had plateaued, based on the latest stats from the most recent International Visitor Survey.

But Cairns Airport figures for passenger numbers during Chinese New Year, which fell in February, showed there was a 21% increase in passengers through the international terminal, a total of 60,910 travellers. There was also a 9% rise in domestic numbers at the airport in February, which could also be boosted by Chinese New Year given the high percentage - over 80% - of international visitors to Cairns who travel on domestic flights.

TTNQ also appeared to reject suggestions the China boom was over, saying an increasing number of independent Chinese travellers were venturing out beyond Cairns.


 

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TTNQ CEO Pip Close said some operators reported an increase of up to 40 per cent in independent Chinese travellers.

“During Chinese New Year, accommodation in the city was close to capacity, especially at the five-star hotels, with a number of apartments and mid-range hotels also reporting strong Chinese figures," Ms Close said. 

“Across the Cairns area there was 86.1 per cent occupancy, up 4.6 per cent from the previous February, while Palm Cove showed the greatest increase with a 19.3 per cent boost to occupancy bringing it to 53.1 per cent, and Port Douglas had 35.1 per cent occupancy, an increase of 4.3 per cent.

“Occupancy across Tropical North Queensland was up 5.6 per cent to 68.6 per cent and the revenue per available room also grew across the region, up 17.9 per cent to $106 a night."

WORKING HARD TO ATTRACT CHINESE VISITORS

Ms Close said TTNQ was working on multiple fronts to attract Chinese visitors to the region.

“Following Chinese New Year, TTNQ hosted a successful China inbound agent training workshop which provided opportunities for operators to train both frontline staff and hold one-on-one discussions with product managers," she said.

“Direct flights from China have delivered the busy Chinese New Year we anticipated, and we will continue to work in this market with our partners to increase these services and grow Chinese visitation to encourage dispersal further throughout Tropical North Queensland.

“There were 20 operators and 20 agents, plus Tourism and Events Queensland and Tourism Australia attending the event with China Southern Airlines presenting to the group.

“In addition, more than 40 Chinese media and Premier Aussie Trade specialists have toured the region over the past month visiting Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Mission Beach, Kuranda, Atherton Tablelands, Port Douglas, Mossman, Chillagoe, Undara and Palm Cove.”