Year of the Dragon – Day Eight

Day eight is the end of the official New Year Holiday with government agencies and all businesses now open. Many people with have a special dinner tonight to celebrate the eve of the birth of the Jade Emperor.

Store and business owners will also hold a special lunch or dinner to thank their employees for all of their hard work over the past 12 months.

If you would like to cook up a special dinner for tonight why not check out our recipe for Pot Sticker Dumplings!

Tourism Australia Update – China:

In June 2011 Tourism Australia released their China 2020 Strategy:

China is Australia’s most valuable inbound tourism market. In 2010 the China inbound market contributed $3.26 billion to the Australian economy. By 2020, this market has the potential to contribute $7 to $9 billion annually.

Australia has experienced faster arrivals growth from China than any other market. In 2010, China was Australia’s fourth largest source of visitor arrivals with 454,000 Chinese visitor arrivals to Australia, 24 per cent higher than in 2009.

For the full report please click here.

Tourism Australia’s  overall 2020 strategy, published in December 2011 highlights growing visitation from Asia as a key priority. Please see a snapshot of the goal below – to download the full report please click here.

Grow demand from Asia

While marketing investment across a balanced portfolio of markets is required, Australia has a unique opportunity to drive demand from Asia. Over the 2010-20 period, Asia is expected to contribute more than half of the projected growth in international visitation with 42 per cent of that growth expected to come from China. Most countries in Asia have growing economies with good consumer confidence, burgeoning growth in the middle class (especially China, India and Indonesia), and Australia is a near “western developed”, English speaking country, with strong destination appeal. Industry and governments need to deepen consumer understanding, strengthen distribution, develop tailored marketing campaigns, and appropriate product, as well as relevant policy frameworks.

For more information on how you can become involved in Tourism Australia’s international marketing please visit www.tourism.australia.com

Today’s Horoscope: (Tiger):
You will be very popular this year and might be able to use this time to participate in more people oriented activities to enjoy and reap the benefits. Greater authority or responsibilities will be given to you this year, and this will be an opportune time to prove yourself. However, do not get carried away as the challenges this year will be without warning and difficult.

Facts of the Day:

Pandas

Giant pandas are probably China’s best loved animal and are regarded as a national treasure. They roam the remote forests of the mountains in southwest China, eating almost nothing but bamboo.

Great Wall of China -

During the third century BCE, the Qin emperors started to build a huge wall to stop smuggling. Later dynasties built walls against Mongolian tribes to the north.

The Great Wall is one of the largest building construction projects ever completed. It stretches across the mountains of northern China, winding north and northwest of Beijing. It is constructed of masonry, rocks and packed-earth.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Great Wall was enlarged to 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) and renovated over a 200 year period, with watch-towers and cannons added.

Phrase of the Day:
“nĭ huì jiăng yīngwén ma” – Can you speak English?
Like to know how to pronounce it? Click here!