The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, and the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, have welcomed the 10th anniversary of the Approved Destination Status (ADS) scheme, which has helped develop the Chinese tourism market into one of Australia's most lucrative markets, now worth $2.2 billion per annum.
Minister Ferguson said: "The scheme has exceeded expectations with more than 400,000 Chinese visitors choosing to travel to Australia under the ADS scheme since its introduction. The Australian Government is committed to building tourism links with China and continuing to expand the scheme to reflect professionalism and quality in the delivery of Australia's tourism experiences to our Chinese visitors."
On 22 April 1999, Australia and New Zealand became the first western countries to attain ADS. The scheme allows approved operators access to the Chinese tourism market.
In 2008, there were 357,000 Chinese visitors to Australia with 97,113 - or about 30 per cent - participating in the ADS scheme. The scheme has experienced strong growth, particularly over the past four years, and is an essential initiative to attract increasing numbers of leisure travellers from China and to fight rogue operators trying to exploit some travellers. The growth in non-ADS Chinese visitors also reflects the success of the scheme, with many visitors comfortable travelling to Australia independently.
Minister Ferguson said: "The ADS scheme has led to significant growth in leisure travel from China. China is today one of Australia's most important tourism markets and one which is essential to the future growth of the Australian industry."
The ADS is a bilateral tourism agreement between the Chinese Government and foreign destinations allowing Chinese tourists to take leisure travel in groups. The ADS scheme was introduced by the Chinese Government in 1983, starting with Hong Kong and Macau.The ADS also permits the Australian Government, through Tourism Australia, to promote Australia within China as a leisure travel destination.
Further information on the Australian Destination Status scheme can be found at www.ret.gov.au/tourism_ads.