ATEC welcomes Australia returning to China’s list of Approved Destination Status nations

Australian Tourism Export Council, the peak industry body representing Australia's tourism export sector has welcomed today’s announcement that Australia will once again join China’s list of Approved Destination Status (ADS) nations, seeing it as a great boost for the visitor economy and export tourism industry. 

Prior to the pandemic, China was the largest and most valuable inbound traveller market for the Australian visitor economy.

In 2019, more than 1.4 million holiday makers from China spent $2.1 billion in Australia, including about $581 million spent by ADS group travel participants.

The re-instatement of tourism trade with China will be positive news for many tourism businesses which have built expertise in this market over the past decade.

ATEC Managing Director Peter Shelley notes “As a major inbound market for Australian export tourism pre-covid, we welcome the re-instatement of our status on the ADS list and the opportunities it brings to tourism businesses across the country.

“As the first western nation to be granted ADS back in 1999, Australian tourism has built a strong focus on this visitor market which is all about group leisure travel.

“For those businesses with ADS approval who were previously focused on this market there is a keen desire to get back to welcoming the Chinese visitor.

“As we move forward the re-engagement of the China market will be a boost to our tourism businesses, particularly as we enter the high season and Luna New Year in 2024.”

Today's announcement follows the recent launch in China of Tourism Australia's successful $125 million Come and Say G'Day campaign.

The campaign kicked off on 29th June in China, and is already proving to be a success, with the television commercial receiving over 66 million views across all channels.

The Australian Government will now work with Chinese counterparts to facilitate ADS travel.