Chinese visitors to Aus already travelling as FIT’s
With industry analysts and others saying that Chinese visitors to Australia only travel in groups, The Mole met at ATE with accommodation operators Verity Nelson [daughter] and Linda Harris [mum] of Kendenup Lodge, near Albany WA, [pictured right in the pink!] who said that was an Eastern Australian view and that at their boutique accommodation in WA they were seeing increasing numbers of Chinese tourists travelling as FIT, driving their own rental cars.
They also said that these visitors from China were looking for real Australian experiences and they wanted to visit the Australian outback and try Australian food.
The proximity of Perth to Asian gateways was a critical factor in attracting this business, with increasing flights to Perth from SEA Asia.
Verity said that they provided Mandarin speaking host them, but generally language was not an issue, with except perhaps with some of the older visitors, with Linda saying that Kendenup is boutique style accommodation which can sleep up to thirty.
Linda said that his substantially growing market was the reason that they were at ATE and they were looking forward to attracting more business as a result.
A Specials report by The Mole on location from ATE 2007
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