Picture: Celebrating the opening of Parker Travel Collection's first sales office in China were Managing Director of Parker Travel Collection (PTC), Todd Parker, Executive GM Eastern Hemisphere Tourism Australia, Richard Beere, Quicksilver Connections' Director of Sales, Michael Healy, PTC's General Manager Sales for China, Hong Kong & Taiwan, Anthony Teng and PTC's newly appointed Cairns Based Sales Manager, Mike Sha.

Parker Travel Collection celebrated the opening of its first China sales office at an event in Cairns last week attended by key Tourism Australia officials and industry colleagues.

Managing Director of Parker Travel Collection, Todd Parker said this latest development is in response to China being Australia's fastest growing, inbound tourism market. Industry research backs this claim with PATA* predicting growth of more than 7.9 per cent, per annum over the next decade; equating to 761,000 visitors by 2018.

"Of all the global tourism markets, China is the bright and shining star on the horizon. With the planets of desire, population, economy and flight availability all in alignment, it has been imperative for us as Australian tourism marketers to gain a foothold in China.

Todd says the opening of Parker Travel Collections sales office has come to be the appointment of seasoned operator, Anthony Teng as General PTC - China Sales Office Opening 24 August 2010 pr

Manager Sales for China, Hong Kong & Taiwan. The business development company has also appointed a Cairns based sales manager, Mike Sha to support the China office with on the ground sales in Australia.

*The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) estimated that China's outbound market will number 100 million by 2020, up from 31 million in 2005; at which time it was the seventh biggest spender on foreign travel. Research has shown Chinese travellers are willing to pay extra for good food, cultural experiences, exotic destinations and have a preference for environmentally friendly tourism and cultural immersion programs. (source: PATA)

New Flight Data

China Southern
Melbourne - going from 3 weekly to Daily services OCT 2010
Sydney - going from daily to double daily services OCT 2010
Brisbane - 3 weekly services NOV 2010

Air China
Beijing - Melbourne (via Shanghai) OCT 2010
Beijing - Melbourne direct DEC 2010 - will be sole carrier on the route

Qantas & China Eastern
Increased services with code share via Singapore