Great call of China means more flights to Perth

• China Southern is adding a fourth weekly direct flight to Perth from mid-July

• Goal to reach 100,000 Chinese visitors to WA by 2020 

A partnership between the State Government and China Southern Airlines continues to grow, with the airline this week announcing a fourth direct weekly flight to Perth.

Tourism Minister Kim Hames said the extra service on the Guangzhou to Perth route would further increase the already impressive gains made in the Chinese tourism market since the State Government first signed an agreement with the airline in 2011.

"Since that first flight, the number of Chinese visitors to Western Australia has increased by 63 per cent to 37,400 people," Dr Hames said.

"Last financial year Chinese visitors spent $181 million in WA, making China our third biggest international tourism market in terms of visitor spend."

Tourism WA has been working with Perth Airport, Tourism Australia and China Southern to increase flight frequency and promote WA as a holiday and business travel destination.

The Minister said China Southern Airlines would also introduce the new generation Boeing Dreamliner B787 on its Perth to Guangzhou service from April 1 this year, giving people another attractive reason to make the journey.

"One of our tourism goals for 2020 is to attract 100,000 Chinese visitors who contribute more than $500 million to the local economy, so agreements like this one with China Southern Airlines are an important part of that strategy," he said.

"It's vital to invest in tourism initiatives and projects that are going to deliver a good return on investment for this State, but also deliver a visitor experience that enhances our reputation and encourages people to recommend WA to others."

Tourism provides 91,000 jobs for West Australians and contributed $8.3 billion to the local economy last financial year.

      Fact File

• China Southern Airlines is the only direct air service between Perth and China and currently offers three flights per week. This will increase to four flights per week from mid-July

• Chinese visitors are known to be big contributors to the local economy when travelling. The average international leisure visitor to WA spends about $2,000; a Chinese visitor on average spends about $5,000

• The State Government committed $3.9 million over three years, specifically for targeted tourism marketing to China in the 2014-15 State Budget 

Minister's office - 6552 5300