Following Australia Federal Government’s ADS (Approved Destination Status) Compliance Taskforce towards China, the Australia Tourism Export Council will assume a determinant role in monitoring the quality of Chinese tours.
SYDNEY- Australia Tourism Export Council (ATEC) will assume a key role in ensuring the quality and operation of Chinese tours under the Approved Destination Status (ADS) following the establishment of the Federal Government’s ADS Compliance Taskforce. “Given ATEC’s singular focus and long history as Australia’s only inbound industry association, we have been asked to participate on this very important Taskforce,” ATEC Managing Director, Felicia Mariani said.
“ATEC is in a unique position to advise and guide understanding of the complex Chinese tour operator environment. As an industry-focused body, ATEC is strongly connected to our members – many of whom are small business operators – who understand what’s happening on the ground in our industry. We are well placed to provide feedback and intelligence around the issues of most concern to our operators and, in turn, support our operators by advocating for the best business environment possible”, she highlighted.
“With the strength and rapid growth of the Chinese tourism market, it is crucial that governments are connected to what’s happening on the ground and how they might move to address any poor or negative business practices. Importantly, government also needs to be able to respond to and support any valuable opportunities that can be identified by this on-the-ground intelligence. The Taskforce has been established as part of the enhanced ADS scheme announced by the Prime Minister last year and is aimed at ensuring Australia provides Chinese tourists with quality experiences and removing some of the negative practices around their free time, flexibility and shopping options”, told Mrs. Mariani.
“By virtue of our member base who is actively engaged with the ADS operators, most of whom are also ATEC members, we are well placed to provide insights and understanding of the practices of tour operators and identify where improvements can be made. Our broad industry base and strong connection to a large number of Chinese tour operators, will allow ATEC to support the delivery of best industry practice.”
Ms Mariani said the Taskforce was a continuation of ATEC’s involvement in building the industry’s capacity to engage with China. ATEC has already been a long-time member of the Government’s ADS Advisory Panel.
Most recently, ATEC was part of a consortium that was awarded a Strategic Tourism Investment Grant (STIG) to deliver training and education programs to the industry under the banner of Welcoming Chinese Visitors. In conjunction with Australian Registered Training Organisation, AVANA, and Shanghai-based company, China Ready & Accredited, ATEC will work with these partners to ensure that our tourism operators have the skills, cultural understanding and access to the distribution channels that will allow them to successfully engage with the complex China market.
“China offers the Australian tourism industry a great deal of opportunity for growth and ATEC welcomes the invitation to represent the inbound industry on this Taskforce aimed at ensuring a high quality product and good business practice. ATEC’s exclusive focus on the inbound market and our long term connection to the ADS scheme means we can fulfill the important role of advising Government on some of the critical issues involved in engaging with this important market for Australia’s future tourism growth”, she said.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
