Guangzhou-Western Australia tour packages launched

Tourism Western Australia launched seven tour packages jointly with two travel agencies in Guangzhou on Monday.

The packages, in partnership with BCTS Travel Service and Shenzhen CEPT International Travel Service, include tailor-made itineraries featuring golf and self-driving tours.

“The partnership will play a critical role in helping us to increase tourism to Perth and Western Australia,” said Stephanie Buckland, CEO of Tourism Western Australia.

The number of Chinese visitors to Western Australia grew by 13.1 percent year-on-year in the year ending March 31, topping 24,000 and consuming goods worth 137 million Australian dollars.

Direct flights launched between Guangzhou and Perth in November last year helped boost visitor numbers, Buckland said.

The state aims to attract 100,000 Chinese visitors a year by 2020, she said.

More hotels are being built to accommodate the growth, and new Sunday trading hours will start later this month to draw more Chinese tourists.