Year of the Pig looks good for Chinese campers
While this is a time for celebrating, research has revealed it is also one of the most popular times of year for Chinese tourists to take a caravan or camping trip.
According to research from Caravan Industry Association of Australia, the typical Chinese tourist is a female aged between 30-54 and will spend 11-15 days in Australia.
Over the last 10 years, Chinese visitors have been a key source of growth for tourism around Australia, including the caravan and camping sector. In 2017 alone 14175 Chinese visitors spent a cumulative total of more than 124, 000 nights in caravan parks. This represents a 180% increase in nights and a 126% increase in visitors from 2016.
Unlike traditional markets of Europe and North America, the Chinese market are relatively ‘new’ to caravan and camping, with the research highlighting that they are seeking flexible unique experiences that caravan and camping can offer. As the market matures, Chinese visitors are seeking out more authentic experiences both in Australia and globally.
Access to items such as rice cookers, and increased wifi capabilities in caravan parks might seem cliché, but the research found these things go a long way in terms of helping Chinese travellers to feel comfortable and enjoy their stay.
Additionally, figures from Tourism Research Australia observed similar trends with the number of Chinese visitors to Australia on group and package tours declining by 8.4% in 2017. This continues the trend towards free and independent travel, and suggests that Chinese travelers are increasingly confident participating in new international experiences.
The booming market is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon, with 70% of respondents also saying they would be likely to return to Australia and 80% saying they would recommend it to friends and family back at home.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia conducted the Chinese Visitors in Caravan Parks Report, designed to provide insights into the booming market. The research examined the motivations, needs and attitudes of Chinese travellers.
