Northern Territory Chief Minister, Paul Henderson is leading Northern Territory Week at the Shanghai Expo this week where the unique Territory assets are centre-stage.

Tourism NT Chief Executive, Maree Tetlow, said that Tourism NT is being showcased as Australia’s leading nature and cultural holiday destination with key trade partners.

“Northern Territory Week is an opportunity to promote the Territory’s diverse landscape, from the tropical north to the Red Centre as a holiday destination that is a must.

“Tourism NT has identified China as a market with high-growth potential,” Ms Tetlow said.

“However, we are not targeting a high-volume of budget holiday-makers but rather mature travellers and Experience Seekers wanting to learn new things and experience our unique nature and culture.

“We are also leveraging our strengths in the resources sector and our proximity to Asia to attract more high-yield business travellers,” Ms Tetlow said.

This week senior managers from Tourism NT’s China and Darwin offices have been in high-level meetings with leading travel companies, including Shanghai China Travel International and East Shanghai International Travel.

The Chief Minister and Tourism NT are also meeting with Ctrip.com International, China’s leading online travel company and one of the best known travel brands in China.

“Right now Tourism NT and its partners are part of a joint promotion with Ctrip to target high-end customers and promote new Australian products through the ‘Lost in Admiration of Australia’ online campaign,” Ms Tetlow said.

“Vibrant NT is part of the campaign and we are promoting two packages featuring the Red Centre: ‘Discover the wonders of Australia’ which includes Sydney, Ayers Rock (Uluru) and Cairns, and ‘Experience Seeker’ including Sydney and Ayers Rock (Uluru).

“The Chinese are online savvy and by increasing our digital focus Tourism NT’s marketing strategy is in line with Chinese consumers’ needs.

“They are also used to searching online for travel information to help them plan their travel itineraries before they book their holidays,” Ms Tetlow said.

Tourism NT also met with the local Qantas representative in China about improving access for Chinese tourists.

Chinese business and leisure visitors can travel to the Northern Territory using existing flight networks operating from Singapore and Sydney.