Chinese tourists and students boost Australia's economy

Chinese tourists and students are fast becoming one of Australia’s most important sources of income, reveals data compiled by Tourism Research Australia (TRA). In 2015, there was a 35% increase in tourists coming from China compared to the previous year, adding $4.7bn to the Australian economy, and if the current upward trend continues, China will soon replace New Zealand as Australia’s biggest source of tourism. From a student perspective, 126,834 Chinese students arrived in the country to pursue a secondary school or tertiary education last year, a jump of almost 400% from a decade earlier which, according to the TRA data, provides Australia with the highest percentage of visitors who come to gain an education. Overall, the average overseas arrival spends $13,250 on education in Australia, compared to just $1,900 spent on a holiday.

China is now second only to New Zealand in the tourism stakes for Australia, spending an eye-watering US$4.7 billion on trips Down Under