Advertisement
Cost-conscious Chinese tourists skip Australia for visa-free countries in Southeast Asia
- Australia’s tourism industry is getting squeezed by visa demands at a time when Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia have waived such rules
- Many have opted for destinations that are easier to get to as mainland consumers tighten their belts amid a sluggish economy
Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
1
As Chinese tourism booms to visa-free countries in Southeast Asia, Australia is losing out, with more cost-conscious mainland travellers also choosing cheaper destinations closer to home, according to tour operators and industry data.
Once a magnet for Chinese holidaymakers, Australia’s tourism industry is getting squeezed by visa demands at a time when Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia have waived such requirements and as mainland consumers tighten their belts.
Johnny Nee, Director at Easy Going Travel Services Pty Ltd in Perth, Western Australia, said his business only recovered to 40 per cent of pre-Covid levels over Lunar New Year earlier this month even as Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia saw visitor numbers and spending exceed pre-Covid levels.
“Given China’s economic outlook is not so certain and Chinese tourists are rather price conscious, this means they would prefer somewhere that is easier to get to and the travelling experience … is not too bad either,” said Nee, whose company also provides group tours for Chinese.
Costs for travellers, including some flights and accommodation, had risen 20 per cent over pre-Covid levels, he added.
Advertisement