Direct flights between Guangzhou, China and Perth have resumed, the Tourism Council of Western Australia announced yesterday.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the direct flights were a key step in recovering international visitors to Western Australia, as Chinese visitors were the highest spending visitors and the fourth largest source of international arrivals to Australia.

Hall said Chinese visitors enjoyed premium wine and food experiences, with visitors and spend from the China market making them WA’s fourth largest international market.

“Chinese visitors are the highest spending visitors, with the average spend per visitor estimated at more than $4,000 per trip,” Hall said.

Hall added that as Western Australians head overseas in increasing numbers, the state needed to attract Chinese visitors to Perth and onwards to regional destinations.

“Chinese visitors appreciate Western Australia’s unique environment and open skies and are hungry for premium regional wine and produce, particularly the WA rock lobster,” he said.

Hall explained that Chinese visitors were crucial to tourism attractions, providing customers during lower demand periods, such as mid-week.

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