Chinese visitors bring a happy new year to Cairns

THE Far North is gearing for a tourism bonanza with Chinese New Year celebrations in two weeks.

At least 16,000 Chinese visitors are expected in the region from about January 20.

Many have already arrived to visit relatives and friends and are extending their holidays to include the Chinese New Year on January 23.

Cairns Airport chief executive Kevin Brown said double the number of Chinese New Year flights would arrive in 2012, compared with 2011.

"We have a total of 12 additional flights coming direct from China to Cairns," he said.

"There are seven China Southern flights from Guangzhou and three China Eastern flights from?Shanghai.

"Cathay Pacific has added two extra flights from Hong Kong in addition to their daily Hong Kong-Cairns service.

"The charter flights will have the capacity to bring almost 4000 visitors into Cairns plus there are many thousands more expected to arrive via domestic services for a total of about 16,000."

The first charter flight is expected on January 21 and the last on January 28.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland consumer marketing director David Inches said the Chinese New Year was "a major business boost to start 2012 and places Cairns on the front foot for the year ahead".

"The doubling of visitors on last year shows we are right on track in building our relationships with the Chinese carriers, trade and travellers," he said.

Harry Sou of Cafe China said this year?s Chinese New Year was "shaping up to be the best and biggest".

"Apart from the 12 charters, a lot of Chinese come here on domestic services," he said.

Mr Sou said many restaurants, hotels and tourism operators would benefit.

He said many Chinese visitors had extended their Far Northern holidays to include the new year, because schools and universities did not resume until the end of January.

The highlight of the Chinese New Year in Cairns is the street festival on the Cairns Esplanade on January 21 from 3pm.

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Source: http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2012/01/09/199901_local-news.html

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