STORY: China expected to be Australia's biggest tourism market again in near future: tourism director
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 6, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 8, 2024
LENGTH: 0:01:32
LOCATION: SYDNEY, Australia
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Australia
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): PHILLIPA HARRISON, Managing director of Tourism Australia
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): PHILLIPA HARRISON, Managing director of Tourism Australia

STORYLINE: 
Managing Director of Tourism Australia Phillipa Harrison has said that China is expected to reclaim the top spot in Australia's international tourism industry in the near future.

Tourism Australia is the Australian government agency responsible for attracting international visitors to the country.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): PHILLIPA HARRISON, Managing director of Tourism Australia
"We are seeing more and more Chinese travelers coming back to Australia since we opened just over 12 months ago, which is great to see. 
We are really delighted to see that more and more Chinese are coming back to enjoy everything that Australia has to offer. And we know that it's only a matter of time before China is our number one market once again."

For the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, Harrison was full of expectations.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): PHILLIPA HARRISON, Managing director of Tourism Australia
"This is always our busiest time of year. So we always see spiking travel over the Lunar New Year, which is fantastic. When they come here, there is a lot to do around Australia, and certainly, there are a lot of Spring Festival celebrations all over Australia, particularly here in Sydney. So they can see fireworks. There are lots and lots of local celebrations, and certainly, Australians love getting involved with the Lunar New Year festival. So they will feel very, very welcome when they get here. 
So to anyone thinking about coming to Australia, I would like to say, you are very welcome. And at this moment, Long Nian Kuai Le (Happy Year of the Dragon)!"

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Sydney, Australia.
(XHTV)