AUSTRALIA - Loss of Chinese Tourists
As Chinese tourism booms to visa-free countries in Southeast Asia, Australia is losing out, with more cost-conscious mainland travelers also choosing cheaper destinations closer to home, according to tour operators and industry data.
Once a magnet for Chinese holiday-makers, 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.
Chinese holiday-makers made up around 26% of visitors over the Lunar New Year period to Australia, compared with more than 50% in pre-COVID 2019, the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) said.
Inbound tour operators were reporting turnover is less than 50% of 2019 revenues, it added.
“The Chinese holiday travel segment, which makes a significant contribution to the Australian economy, has been slow to shake off the effects of the pandemic,” ATEC managing director Peter Shelley said.
-www.reuters.com, 21 February 2024
Arno's Commentary
While Australia depends only little on tourism, it nevertheless contributed about 2.5% to their GDP in 2023.
What is clearly revealed is the interdependence of the nations of the world; in this case, Australia and China.
The key word seems to be “visa.” Not the credit card, but a country granting citizens of another the right to visit, whether for business or pleasure. Here, the European Union is leading. The Schengen Convention Agreement was signed in 1985. In 1990, it covered almost 420 million people, with 3.5 million crossing borders each day for work, study, shopping, and holiday making.
While there is war at the present time (Russia against Ukraine), Europe still considers itself the safest, freest, and most secure continent.
What we know for sure is that, not only European, but also global unity is predicted in prophetic Scripture, which is our guide. In the end stages of the end times, the god of this world will have his agents who will implement global peace: “These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast” (Revelation 17:13).
Arno Froese is the executive director of Midnight Call Ministries and editor-in-chief of the acclaimed prophetic magazines Midnight Call and News From Israel. He has authored a number of well-received books, and has sponsored many prophecy conferences in the U.S., Canada, and Israel. His extensive travels have contributed to his keen insight into Bible prophecy, as he sees it from an international perspective.
