The Australian Government has pledged a further $4 million to boost tourism relations with China.  Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson said the money will be used to extend the Approved Destination Scheme (ADS), which facilitates the travel of organised tour groups from China to Australia. 

Ferguson told the Australian Tourism Export Council in Hobart that the funding will support marketing in China and the modification of ADS standards and ethics. 

“This market is worth $2.8 billion for the Australian tourism industry and it continues to grow. The market is expected to be worth $5.5 billion by 2017,”  Ferguson said.

Australia and New Zealand were the first western countries to be granted ADS accreditation by the Chinese Government and this partnership is now in its 11th year.