Safety still major concern for Chinese tourists

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, September 25, 2016 (PNG)

SAFETY concerns remain the biggest hindrance for the country to tap into the world’s biggest tourist supplier in China, says PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’s, China Destination Manager, James Qian.

Qian says the main reason many of China’s more than 120 million outbound tourist travellers, annually, was safety- apart from other hindrances in accessing the PNG tourism market.

In 2009 PNG became the 118th tourist destination country for Chinese citizens.

“Since that time it is sad to say that not many Chinese visitors are coming to PNG,” Qian said.

“I have often discussed this issue with many Chinese citizens and the current reasons out there and the critical one is safety concern.”

“People come and ask saying things like it is not safe in PNG. Now you can see that many Chinese visitors go abroad, go to USA, Europe, Japan, Korea.”

He said with the stereotypical Chinese tourist being described as one that goes everywhere to buy- the use of cash in hand is a major feature of the Chinese tourist.

“When we go from the biggest to smallest place we buy buy buy and. It is also custom that Chinese people like to use cash so safety is very critical,” he pointed out.

He also made a comparison of major fact with the country’s closest neighbor, Indonesia to highlight facts between of the two destinations.

PNG became destination in 2009 and Indonesia 2001 with pre-approved visa in force for those travelling into the country, while Indonesia is visa free for Chinese tourists- with Indonesia provides Chinese visitors a period of 30 days without visa.

“Airfares PNG return tickets same transfer from Hong Kong same flight to PNG cost US$1800 and to Indonesia is US$750 Dollars.”

“Place (tourist hubs) of interest mainly known in Indonesia is Bali, Java, and Jakarta- a lot of people do not know about PNG’s famous places other than the capital of Port Moresby.”

Qian said as a result, the annual visitors to PNG is 1,000 Chinese tourist, compared to Indonesia 1 million plus visitors, with an estimated consumption of the average Chinese tourist is US$3500 to see how much PNG is missing out on.

He added with the recent visit by Prime Minister O’Neill to China to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping yielded fruitful result with direct flights agreed to between both countries.

Added to the efforts by the government to capture the Chinese market, Qian, also praised efforts by the National Government in its efforts to negotiate visa on arrival arrangements that could benefit PNG Tourism.