Preface

During his visit to China, the Australian Prime Minister pledged to open up new visas for China, strengthening the movement of people between the two countries!

 

In the past, Australians may have prioritized European countries as their vacation destinations. However, Europe has now fallen out of favor, while China's allure is steadily rising!

#01：

Australia opens new visas for China

Allowing multiple entries for 3 to 5 years

Just this week, Australian Prime Minister Albanese completed his trip to China.

 

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave the green light to a new Australia-China visa agreement before departing China for the Pacific region. This agreement will provide more convenience for tourists and business people traveling between the two countries.

 

 

 

图片来源：The Australian

 

The seventh article of the Joint Communique of the Annual Meeting of the Chinese and Australian Prime Ministers states that the leaders of the two countries agree to continue and expand cooperation in various fields, including facilitating people-to-people exchanges. This includes agreeing to open 3 to 5-year multiple-entry visas for tourism and business personnel on a reciprocal basis.

 

The new 3 to 5-year multiple-entry reciprocal visa will usher in a new era for business travel, encouraging more Chinese students and tourists to visit Australia.

 

In addition to this, China and Australia will strengthen political dialogue, bilateral trade, address climate change, and enhance cultural exchanges in the future.

 

图片来源：ABC News

 

As Albanese departs China for Raratonga to attend the Pacific Islands Forum, the Australian government has already begun assuring key partners of the newly stabilized relationship between Australia and China.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong will make a side visit to Tokyo, taking the opportunity to brief her Japanese counterparts on Albanese's trip to China.

In the final meeting of Albanese's three-day visit, he and Chinese Premier Li Qiang agreed to hold an annual summit between Australian and Chinese leaders, reinstating a longstanding arrangement that was interrupted by the breakdown in bilateral relations after 2019.

Annual ministerial-level meetings on diplomatic, strategic, and economic affairs will also be resumed.

Reports also mention that Australian wine is expected to re-enter the Chinese market early next year. Trade Minister Don Farrell expressed confidence that Australian lobster and red meat from selected abattoirs will soon be available for sale in China again.

It is foreseeable that with closer ties between China and Australia and the formal implementation of the new visa, Australia will welcome more Chinese tourists and students, creating greater value for local international education, tourism industries, and other related sectors, resulting in higher benefits.

At the same time, more Australians may travel to China next year.

#02：

European vacations have fallen out of favor

China becomes a popular destination for Australians

On 06 Nov, the Chinese Embassy in Australia announced that, to further facilitate the movement of people between China and Australia, effective from November 20, 2023, the Chinese Embassy in Australia will comprehensively cancel relevant measures regarding the appointment application process for Chinese visas for foreigners.

 

图片来源：The Australian

 

For Australians, spending the summer in Europe may soon become part of the "old calendar" for the year 2023

The latest travel trends indicate that China has become one of the top destinations in the searches of Australians for the year 2024!

 

 

图片来源：The Australian

 

Japan is also a popular destination, with data from Skyscanner showing that Osaka, Chengdu, Sapporo, Beijing, and Tokyo are the top five international travel destinations searched by Australians in 2024.

Taking Osaka and Chengdu as examples, online search volumes for flights and accommodations have quadrupled compared to the previous year, while search volumes for Sapporo, Beijing, and Tokyo have tripled.

The Universiade held in Chengdu in August allowed more people worldwide to see this city. Australia also sent a delegation of 98 athletes to participate in the Summer International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Games held in Chengdu.

 

图片来源：SBS

 

 In July of this year, the Australian Tourism Board also launched an advertising campaign in Chengdu.

In the central area of Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province in China, renowned for its pandas and hotpot, a chubby giant kangaroo on a large 3D billboard has captured the attention of the crowd.

This marks the first landing of the Australian Tourism Board's global advertising campaign "Come and Say G'day," featuring the new mascot kangaroo Ruby, in China. The campaign was initiated in Australia in October of last year.

It can be said that this cultural exchange between the two countries is one of the reasons Chengdu has significantly increased its appeal in the eyes of Australian travelers.

 

 

图片来源：SBS

 

According to a survey by Skyscanner, food is listed as one of the primary reasons for choosing a destination, ranking after attractions, weather, and cost.Hugh Aitken, the Vice President of Flights at Skyscanner, mentioned that 42% of travelers prioritize ticket prices, while 12% focus on accommodation costs.

However, he also pointed out,

"Despite this, compared to 2023, over one-third (35%) of Australian travelers plan to spend more on their travel budget in 2024, with 33% keeping their expenses unchanged, and only 15% indicating a reduction in spending."

The return of Chinese airlines has put downward pressure on ticket prices, even for non-traditional routes. This suggests that the future airfare for Australian travelers will continue to decrease.

#03：

Chinese Airlines' Return Sparks Reduction in Australia Flight Ticket Prices

Just this week, China Eastern Airlines became the sixth airline to operate the Sydney-Auckland route, making travel to this New Zealand city one of the most cost-effective options for Australian travelers.

 

图片来源：The Australian

 

Airlines such as Air New Zealand, Asia Airlines, Latin America Airlines, Qantas, and Jetstar Airways all have routes from Sydney to Auckland, making this route one of the most competitive among international flights departing from Sydney.

Aitken stated:

"In the past 12 months, flight costs to Auckland have decreased by over a third, followed closely by Apia and Jakarta.

 

For travelers looking to vacation farther from home, flight prices to Nairobi have dropped by 12%, and Los Angeles flights are 11% cheaper than last year, further encouraging bookings for trips to the other side of the Atlantic.”

 

图片来源：The Australian

Flight Centre also noted that compared to the peak at the end of 2022, prices for many routes have decreased. On average, economy class fares to Bali have dropped by 28% from last year but remain 27% higher than in 2019. Tickets to Singapore are 15% lower than in 2022 but 33% higher than pre-pandemic levels.

 

Jason Hartley, Global Product and Pricing Manager at Flight Centre, mentioned that international travel demand has cooled compared to the "unusual bubble" of last year.

 

Similar to Skyscanner, Hartley indicated signs that passengers are becoming more price-sensitive due to the impact of inflation, interest rates, and the cost of living.

 

"So far, we haven't seen many people buying tickets for the European summer of 2024, but it will be interesting to see the prices there. Since September of last year, we have seen a 10% decrease in flight prices to Europe, thanks to airlines like China Eastern, Southern Airlines, Qantas, and Jetstar Airways offering more tickets."

 

At the same time, with increased competition among airlines, the reduction in economy class ticket prices is spreading to premium cabins, which is further good news for passengers.

In conclusion, the recent visit of the Australian Prime Minister to China has garnered attention from the people of both China and Australia, and it appears to have been fruitful.

 

For Chinese tourists and students, the opening of new visas is also good news.

 

As the interaction between the two countries strengthens in the future, more Chinese tourists will likely visit Australia, and more Australian tourists will venture to China to experience its landscapes and culture.