The Liberal Government is committed to a target of attracting 1.5 million visitors to Tasmania per year by 2020, which the industry tells us will create up to 8,000 new jobs.
The Chinese tourism market will help us to achieve this, and with almost a 50 per cent increase in the number of Chinese visitors to our state in the year to March we are well on our way.
This organic growth, combined with the possible visit of the Chinese President later this year and the extraordinary tourism boost that would bring, is why the State Government and the tourism industry are committed to getting Tasmania "China ready".
The launch today of the Tasmanian Hotels Association's Practical Guide to Providing Service to Chinese Guests is an important step in getting China ready.
This practical guide, funded by the State Government, will provide a blueprint for hospitality and tourism workers across the state on how they can best accommodate the needs of Chinese travellers.
It will shape everything from the way guests are welcomed, to menu options and marketing strategies.
China is our biggest international tourism market with just over 12 per cent of international visitors to our state travelling from there.
The Asian market is key to Tasmania's economic prosperity and the potential for growth in our competitive strengths, especially tourism.