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The Australian Government will invest a further $4 million in Australia's international tourism trade between China and Australia. The China Approved Destination Status (ADS) Scheme will ensure inbound tour operators continue providing a quality service to leisure tour groups from China, based on their compliance with the ADS Code of Business Standards and Ethics.

Australia and New Zealand were the first western countries in the world to be granted "approved destination status" by the Chinese Government. The relationship is entering its 11th year and there are now more than 92 countries with this approval.

Ongoing improvement in the quality of services provided to Chinese tourists has the potential to increase significantly the number of Chinese leisure tour visitors to Australia.

Addressing tourism industry leaders at the Australian Tourism Export Council symposium in Hobart, Minister Ferguson said: "China is our largest two way trading partner and our second largest tourism market based on visitor nights.

"Last year, we had more than 350,000 Chinese visitors. On average they stay in Australia for 55 nights. This market is worth $2.8 billion for the Australian tourism industry and it continues to grow. The market is expected to be worth $5.5 billion by 2017.

"The decision by the Australian Government to extend the ADS Scheme will help Chinese visitors to enjoy a high quality tourism experience on our shores. The ADS Scheme, introduced in 1999, has been successful in removing and keeping out rogue operators in the Chinese inbound market.

"By supporting the Chinese market, we are helping tourism businesses - many of them small businesses - to access this growing, high yield international market.

"This is a decision to invest in Australia's tourism industry and the half a million Australians who work in it.  Tourism is the lifeblood of many regional communities and contributes nearly 4 percent to Australia's GDP."

The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, urged Australia's tourism industry to take full advantage of government measures to improve the long-term sustainability of the industry in view of growing momentum in international arrivals.

The tourism industry has benefited from the Australian Government's economic stimulus package and the $500 million for small business initiatives.  Companies can take advantage of reduced quarterly pay-as-you-go tax instalments, the Small Business Advisory Services and the $10 million Small Business Online initiative to promote e-commerce.

The Export Market Development Grant Scheme with an additional $50 million and changes to the eligibility criteria announced in the 2009 Budget, is allowing more tourism firms to develop globally-competitive products and services.

Minister Ferguson said: "As we emerge from the global financial crisis, the Australian Government is creating the necessary changes to assist the tourism industry to realise its growth potential.

"Through the Australian Government's National Long-Term Tourism Strategy we are going to build on our new $150 million global marketing campaign, "There's Nothing Like Australia" and work with industry and state and territory governments on supply side issues. That means focussing on product quality and accreditation, building a skilled and innovative workforce, investing in infrastructure, and making the most of our natural competitive advantages such as our landscapes and indigenous and cultural heritage.