Premier Gladys Berejiklian has signed a new two year deal with southern China’s largest travel agency while on a trade mission to China.
Premier Berejiklian is scheduled also to visit Manila after her scheduled 3-day visit to China.
The agreement with GZL, which has 400 agents across China, will promote NSW to more Chinese travellers, further boosting the number of visitors to the State.
“Sydney and NSW are already leading the nation when it comes to attracting Chinese visitors. Over the past six years visitation from China to NSW has grown by 150 per cent – from 285,000 to more than 700,000,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This means more jobs for NSW hotels, restaurants, tourism operators and shops will reap the benefits of having the highest spending international travellers visit our State. Growing jobs from extra tourists is a boost not just for Sydney, but for regional NSW as well.”
“In the last financial year, Chinese travellers spent more than $3 billion in NSW, we want that to grow and partnerships with travel wholesalers like GZL help us promote tourism to a huge audience all year round.”
GZL will sell NSW travel packages to the growing Chinese regional consumer market and throughout the country.
President of GZL, Mr Zhu Shaodong said the agency will continue to work closely with the NSW Government and local suppliers to jointly promote Sydney and regional NSW as one of the top destinations to Chinese travellers.
“We endeavour to explore new resources and tourism products in NSW to develop various themed tours and encourage travellers to spend more time enjoying the wonderful experiences the State has to offer,” Mr Shaodong said.
In a significant boost to the NSW entertainment industry, the Premier has also announced mini-series Butterflies Across the Sea will be filmed in Sydney next year.
The new Chinese TV series from acclaimed Chinese actor and producer Mr Wu Xiubo will bring almost $20 million to the State in production expenditure.
At the same event, Sony Music Recording artists Jess + Matt gave a special performance of Sydney to Me sung in Mandarin.
The new single release promotes Sydney and ensures the State stays front of mind with Chinese consumers.
Jess Dunbar and Matt Price said they were delighted to launch their song in China in front of the NSW Premier and important travel trade guests, before kicking off their promotional program.
“Sydney is such an inspirational and vibrant city and we hope that Sydney to Me motivates Chinese travellers to fall in love with the city just like we did and encourages them to experience it for themselves,” Jess Dunbar said.