Australia and New Zealand are each trying to corner the market on Chinese tourists, including the tourists who enjoy gambling.
More Chinese tourists than ever before are visiting both countries, but industry experts say that the two nations need to do more to entice Chinese, including providing more high end hotels, transportation and, of yes, learning Chinese.
According to Matt Bekier, chief executive officer of casino operator Echo Entertainment, speaking before an American Chamber of Commerce lunch in Sidney, said, “Countries are making it easy for people to come and visit not just once but multiple times. That’s what we have to compete against. We can’t just sit back and say ‘well our beaches are better.’ ”
Recently the blooming Chinese tourist industry overtook coal as Australia’s second largest export.
Bekier’s company is developing large casino resorts in Sydney and Brisbane aimed at luring high rollers from China.
