The Premier of Tasmania, Lara Giddings, today hosted a luncheon for key members of the Shanghai tourism trade to celebrate the importance of China to Tasmania's tourism industry.

Ms Giddings was joined by Mark Kelleher, Secretary of the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts, and Kathryn McCann, Tourism Tasmania's Director of Marketing, as well as representatives from the Tasmanian Government, the Hobart City Council, and the University of Tasmania.

"Tasmania has so much to offer Chinese visitors including our clean, pristine and natural landscape and the ability for visitors to interact with native wildlife," Ms Giddings said.

"In recognition of the growing importance and potential for more visitors from China, earlier this year Tourism Tasmania appointed a Shanghai-based representative, Ms Lynn Wang, reporting to our Regional Representative Asia Ms Vivian Chow, who is based in Hong Kong.

"With Ms Wang's appointment, we are focussing on closer partnerships and cooperation with Chinese media and travel trade - particularly in Eastern and Northern China, which is one of our high priority markets.

"We are keen to work with travel trade partners in China to increase the awareness and understanding of what Tasmania has to offer, and to increase the distribution of Tasmania's tourism products and experiences to potential Chinese visitors."

Ms Giddings said there are a number of features that make Tasmania particularly appealing to Chinese visitors,

"Tasmania's World Heritage wilderness areas are often described as 'the last paradise' and yet visitors can explore them easily and in comfort.

"We offer outstanding farm-gate gourmet experiences where visitors can pick, catch or cook the produce as well as meet the farmers, producers and locals."

Ms Giddings thanked the assembled group of Shanghai's key travel agents for their support of Tasmania in marketing and packaging Tasmania over the last few years, and reminded everyone that they are always welcome in Tasmania.

The Premier has been joined in China by a delegation including community leaders, educators, tourism operators, mining companies and small business owners to ensure that Tasmania seizes the jobs and investment opportunities created by the Asian Century.

The visit is intended to help put Tasmanian products on more supermarket shelves, explore investor interest in mining and agriculture and attract more tourists to Tasmania.