Comments on: Centre on the outer in visitor trade with China, but commission head says Tourism NT ‘will make every effort’ to fix problem

By: Jeff Hausler

Jeff Hausler — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 09:44:23 +0000

Independent, English speaking Chinese tourists travel the world? Tiger / Silk / Scoot Budget Flights into Darwin, on to Alice Springs and Melbourne will open up the Red Centre to tourism. Immigration issues are separate – perhaps pre-booked / prepaid tours with local Darwin and Alice Springs companies could be a visa requirement.

By: LoraY

LoraY — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 21:52:41 +0000

Such problems before existed for the Russian people who want individual traveler program to other countries in the world. Especially 80-90-2000 years. But even group travel took place under the scrutiny of secret observers. But who would not return to Russia he found a way to stay. And in the case of China, in Russia, they come to study and work, many of them live in the underground illegal status condition for many years, and as far as I know that to get a visa to Russia individually become easier for China. Experience has shown the fact that if the Chinese people have a good story to return to China after obtaining a visa to other countries … but came back, the other states with great confidence opened a visa for people who have a good story. Perhaps this is the only way at this time for many Chinese people who plan to travel to Australia for private tour, make a good story of the visit to other countries, where it is easier to obtain a permit. Then get individual tourism to Australia will be easier.
But still the problem of individual tourism for Chinese people will continue to exist for years to come, while the well-being of people living in the country will allow not to worry about the future, when people will not try to look for a better life in their country.

By: Steve Strike

Steve Strike — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 09:07:05 +0000

Most people in the tourism industry know that international visitation has been decimated, particularly in the NT. At a time when Australia is enjoying record trade and profits from China in mining and other industries, tourism is in the doldrums.
It is clear to me that there has not been the same level of effort put into securing a buoyant tourist trade with China like has happened with the industries just mentioned.
Figures released by the Chinese Department of National Tourist Administration reveal more than 57 million Chinese nationals traveled overseas on foreign visas in 2010. If Australia’s share was 300,000 in 2011/12 then we failed miserably. That is less than .6% (point six of a percent) from a country with the same time zone as WA and a flying time of six to eight hours to get here.
Australia clearly has a serious problem with immigration management. I personally believe the current Chinese-Australian visa regime harks back to the deal done with China post Tiananmen Square. That’s 23 years ago. It is time the tourism industry Australia wide pressured the government to bring Chinese visa regulations inline with our other major trading partners.
To clarify the current situation, unless you have relatives living in Australia or someone prepared to sponsor you, it is virtually impossible to gain access as an individual FIT (Free and Independent Traveler). The “authorised” way for Chinese nationals wanting to visit Australia is to buy “authorised” packages sold by “authorised” agents. The agents do the visa application as part of the package. It is a reasonably quick process of three to four days.
For Alice Springs our packaged product has been gutted. Our major package suppliers APT and AAT Kings are now operating in the NT on a shoestring. Dozens of other inbound package suppliers have deserted the NT in the past 10 years. The key factor influencing the demise of NT packaged product is the high cost of internal air travel. With all our major supply routes monopolised by one airline we don’t stand a chance.
John Sanby may wish to verify this.
In recent years NT tourism has barely survived on the back of the FIT market. FIT travelers generally have more money to spend than the package market.
There is great wealth in China. It can only be tapped if we free up our archaic immigration system, get over our anti Asian phobia and open up aviation access.

By: John Sanby

John Sanby — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 12:58:40 +0000

We have an office in China.
Done the rounds of wholesalers for little cost.
Great reception but cost of airfares to Alice, also they like local tour guides in various destination.
Steve is right. Concentrate on clubs 4WD, photographic, camping, painting, college, schools.
Just google.
Of course charter flights into Darwin / Alice.
John

By: John

John — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 04:45:20 +0000

“The problem for Alice Springs is that the agents, usually big national operators, may not channel tourists to The Centre because it would suit them better to take them elsewhere, he says.”
Any chance Steve could elaborate on what he meant by this?

By: Gavin Carpenter

Gavin Carpenter — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 02:31:31 +0000

We have just returned from a wonderful trip to China, using private drivers and English speaking guides, not in a group. We concur what Steve has said. One guide had been to Australia earlier this year leading a group of 20 something people, it now explains a couple of things she said which we did not understand, (kept an eye on the visitors) she was the “watchdog”. They did Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand in 12 days. They apparently saw about one thing in each place. A harbour cruise in Sydney, a koala in Brisbane, Green Island in Cairns, forget what was seen in Melbourne and NZ but it was all go and they were all ready for a break when they arrived home in China.
What an experience of Australia???
Our guides all stated that trying to get a visa was all too hard and they basically would not even try. It again explains what we could not follow, they would not apply on their own account as individuals. There is interest in Australia. When we travel we take as many of the Central Australian Tourist booklets as we can carry and hand out or leave in various places, the drive edition in particular was well received by a number of people in China, despite the fact that they probably could not read them but the pictures certainly caught their attention.
(A funny one in Penang, we left a booklet on a coffee table near the lift in the hotel. A while later it was gone and we saw a chap downstairs with it. We approached him trying to follow up with a few questions but he thought we wanted the book or he had pinched it, not sure, but he was not giving it up in any way. We eventually got the message across and had a laugh, again.)
The next group coming for Finke, arrange for a group of golfers to visit here at the same time. Golf in China is expensive and only the well off can afford to play.
We wish the delegation well in their attempt to get things moving with tourism in China. It is great to see the industry people going, not paid public servants from the tourist office on a junket.