Chinese Tourists Overtake New Zealand Visitors to Australia

China has reclaimed its position as Australia’s top source of international visitors, surpassing New Zealand for the first time since the pandemic. In January, 114,670 Chinese tourists arrived for short-term stays, compared to 96,250 from New Zealand. This shift is especially significant as Chinese visitors tend to spend nearly twice as much as their Kiwi counterparts, boosting the tourism industry.

Tourism Australia sees this as a positive development, as the resurgence of Chinese travellers is helping the sector recover. The organisation reported a 17.6% increase in overall international arrivals compared to January last year, indicating a steady return to pre-pandemic travel levels.

While China led inbound travel, the US, UK and South Korea also contributed significantly. At the same time, Japan has grown in popularity as a holiday destination for Australians, reinforcing its position in the top 3 for outbound travel. Meanwhile, more than a million Australians travelled overseas in January, surpassing pre-Covid departure numbers by 15%.

Experts note that price sensitivity is influencing travel trends. Destinations like Thailand and Japan are seeing increased Australian visitors due to affordability, whereas travel to the US has remained sluggish due to high costs. This trend has led carriers like Batik Air to expand flights to meet demand for Asian destinations.

Source: The Australian, Camperchamp