Posted by: Reuters February 22, 2024 | 6:25 PM PT
Chinese tourists take a photo in front of the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia in 2016 (Photo: AFP)
As the number of Chinese tourists to visa-free Southeast Asian countries surges, Australia is losing out as cost-conscious mainland travelers also opt for cheaper destinations closer to home, according to travel companies and industry data.
Australia’s tourism industry, which once attracted Chinese holidaymakers, has come under pressure from visa requirements as Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia waive their visa requirements and mainland consumers become more demanding. ing.
Johnny Nee, director of Easy Going Travel Services Pty Ltd in Perth, Western Australia, said tourist numbers and spending in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia exceeded pre-coronavirus levels earlier this month. He said that during the Lunar New Year, his business had only recovered to 40% of pre-coronavirus levels. The level before the new coronavirus infection.
“Given that China’s economic outlook is less certain and Chinese tourists are more price-conscious, that means they prefer places that are easy to get to and where the travel experience is not too bad,” Ni said. said. Group tour for Chinese people.
Costs for travelers, including some flights and accommodation, have increased by 20% compared to pre-COVID-19 levels, he added.
“Thailand and Singapore’s visa-free policies are very attractive and I personally think they are helping to keep some Chinese tourists away from Australia.”
A weak economy, a debt crisis in the real estate sector, and volatile financial markets are weighing on Chinese consumer demand, which in turn squeezes splurges in countries that have traditionally relied on Chinese spending to boost tourism. has been done.
According to the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC), the proportion of visitors to Australia during the Lunar New Year period was around 26%, compared to more than 50% in 2019 before COVID-19.
It added that inbound travel operators reported sales that were less than 50% of their 2019 revenue.
“China’s holiday travel sector, which is a significant contributor to the Australian economy, has been slow to shake off the impact of the pandemic,” ATEC managing director Peter Shelley said.
