Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Tourism and International Education) Share this | Hansard source

Again, I thank Senator O'Sullivan. With 44c in every tourism dollar spent in regional areas, it is clear that there are significant opportunities in regional Australia. The report released this morning shows that the attraction of regional Australia to international visitors was significant. Visits to wineries increased by 37 per cent. Visits to farms increased by 14 per cent. Visits to national or state parks increased by 13 per cent. One hundred and twenty million Chinese took an international holiday last year. Of those 120 million, one million came to Australia. That number is projected to double to two hundred million by 2020.

Senator Wong interjecting—

Senator Wong is right: we should be seeking to increase the numbers. (Time expired)