The Australian government will extend the validity of multiple-entry visas for Chinese from one year to three years, Australian Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb said in Adelaide.
Mr. Robb said this would help Australia capture a greater share of the rapidly growing Chinese visitor market.
The implementation schedule of the new visa scheme is yet to be announced, pending the evaluation of a trial run conducted with several Chinese travel companies.
Mr. Robb said studies has shown that multiple entries to Australia by Chinese tourists will benefit the local economy, and visa reforms will ensure Australia’s position in the global tourism market.
Australia received around 800,000 Chinese visitors from January to September 2014, among them 47% were repeat visitors. Tourism spending for the period totaled almost AUD$5.4 billion.(Translation by David)
