Young Jonathan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeYoung Jonathan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 11 April 2013. Volume:689;Page:9291. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]6.JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) to theMinister of Tourism: What is the Government doing to attract more Chinese tourists to New Zealand?Hon CHRIS TREMAIN (Acting Minister of Tourism): The Government has conducted the China Market Review to draw on public and private sector expertise around this very important market. The China Market Review’s report has now been released. The report’s—Hon Trevor Mallard: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I might be getting pedantic but I did not think this member was the Minister of Tourism. Is he the Minister of Tourism?Mr SPEAKER: No. He could more correctly have introduced himself as speaking on behalf of the Minister. Would the member like to start his answer again.Hon CHRIS TREMAIN: My understanding is that while the Prime Minister is away and I am the Acting Minister I become the Minister of Tourism in his place.Mr SPEAKER: He may well be right so I will ask you to initiate the answer again please. [Interruption] Order! Would the Minister please initiate his answer.Hon CHRIS TREMAIN: The Government has conducted the China Market Reviewto draw on the public and private sector expertise around this very important market—that is the China market for Mr Mallard’s interest. The China Market Review’s report has now been released. The report’s recommendations range from providing better market intelligence—which could probably be used on the other side of the House—and higher-quality tours to extending visitor visas for Chinese tourists. Some of these initiatives are already under way—for example tourism and immigration officials have worked together to extend multi-entry visas for Chinese visitors from 12 months to 24 months which will reduce red tape for visitors and encourage tourists to return.Jonathan Young: Why are Chinese tourists important to New Zealand?Hon CHRIS TREMAIN: China is our most rapidly growing tourism market so we need to ensure we are offering Chinese visitors the highest-quality experiences and meeting their expectations. Over the past year more than 200000 Chinese visitors came to New Zealand—up about 38 percent on the previous year. They spent around $651 million in New Zealand. That is $651 million in the pockets of our small businesses and tourism operators. Growing our major tourism markets will also be an important factor in meeting the Government’s target for exports to be 40 percent of GDP by 2025.Barbara Stewart: Does he agree with the Tourism Industry Association’s policy and research manager Simon Wallace that with the increase of Chinese global tourists “We could be looking at up to 1 million visitors in 5 years’ time.”; if so what steps and initiatives is he undertaking so that the New Zealand tourism sector can fully capitalise on this increase in tourist numbers?Hon CHRIS TREMAIN: Firstly with 38 percent incremental growth it is possible that we will reach significantly larger numbers than we currently have. The China Market Review’s report which the Prime Minister released in China just this week goes to the very heart of that question.Jonathan Young: What feedback from the tourism industry has he seen on the China Market Review’s report?Hon CHRIS TREMAIN: I have seen positive feedback from the industry representatives who took part in the review and from the wider industry. It was very important that we engaged with the industry in the process in order to achieve support for the outcomes. The Tourism Industry Association has said that this report provides a road map to ensure that Chinese visitors have a fantastic time in New Zealand. That is exactly what we want to achieve as we grow this market.Barbara Stewart: Does he accept Mr Wallace’s assertion that 70 percent of Chinese tourists come to New Zealand for a small period of time after visiting Australia; if so what steps is he undertaking to increase the length of time that Chinese visitors actually stay in New Zealand?Hon CHRIS TREMAIN: Once again the China Market Review’s report goes to the heart of this question. It is about increasing the value from Chinese tourism improving the ability of Chinese visitors to become free independent traveller tourists on their second visit to New Zealand and increasing the value.