Reference News Network, August 19 - According to the website of The Australian, on August 18, in order to fully seize the opportunity of China as an increasingly popular tourist destination for Australian tourists, the tenth airline from China will enter the Australian market by the end of this year.
Starting from December 23, Shenzhen Airlines will launch direct flights between Shenzhen and Melbourne, three times a week, with the aircraft model A330-300. Nine other airlines including China Eastern Airlines already have flights to Melbourne. Data shows that most flights have strong demand, with an average seat occupancy rate of 81.2%.
Jim Parashos, aviation director at Melbourne Airport, said: "Shenzhen is a vibrant international metropolis suitable for in-depth tourism, and it is also a global center for technology, electronics, and manufacturing. Producers in Victoria can now directly access it."
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that 49,890 Australian tourists traveled to China for short trips in June, an increase of 27% compared to the same period last year.
In June, China rose from seventh to sixth place among the favorite overseas travel destinations for Australians, following Indonesia, New Zealand, the UK, Japan, and the US.
Dean Long, CEO of the Australian Tourism Industry Association, said that the growth in the number of tourists traveling to China is due to the relaxation of visa requirements for Australian passport holders traveling to China for business, tourism, and other purposes, and the extension of the visa-free stay period to 30 days. This policy came into effect on November 30 last year.
"Visiting relatives and friends remains the main purpose, but the holiday market is definitely rebounding," Long said. "This is because travel has become easier than before, and the continuous stability of the bilateral relationship has given people confidence, making them feel that it is a safe tourist destination where there are no problems when traveling."
He said that favorable ticket prices and a wide range of airline choices have also helped make the Australia-China route one of its most competitive international routes. (Translated by Wenyi)
On May 20, Australian tourists took a group photo at the Qishi Building scenic area in Zhangjiajie City. (Xinhua News Agency)
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