Asserting the value of the Chinese market to Australia’s travel industry, the Chinese Ambassador to Australia Chen Yuming said travel between the countries has grown.

According to Mr Yuming, in 2010, some 550,000 Chinese visitors travelled to Australia while 660,000 Australians travelled to China.

Mr Yuming likened the growth to Australia’s Gold Rush period which saw an influx of Chinese to Australia.

“Today I think that this generation will come to Australia again…for the new Gold Rush.”

“The tourism industry in China provides great opportunities for Australian tourists…and I would say that the tourism industry and the aviation industry are fully prepared to offer enough hotel rooms and places for our visitors.

“Please imagine if just one tenth of the Chinese population should travel to Australia, then how many hotel rooms would be needed?”