Top overseas tourist attractions get well prepared to embrace Chinese tourists during the upcoming one-week Chinese New Year holiday that falls on February 6-12 this year, according to Asia Tourism Relations (ATR), the region's tourism and travel consultancies.

ATR’s Managing Director Glen Hingley said, “China’s ever-growing outbound travel market has become one of Asia’s largest sources of tourists. And the one week break of Chinese New Year, the most important festival in China, provides one more bonanza for overseas destinations and attractions after the Christmas and New Year peak season.”

“We have found out that in recent years more and more overseas tourist attractions start to celebrate Chinese New Year with unique decorations and practices that help create festivity and win the hearts of the Chinese tourists,” Glen added.

It is learnt that the practices these overseas tourist attractions adopt include more Mandarin speaking guest services staff members, more Chinese food, traditional Chinese New Year decorations and activities, increased and flexible services and gifts.

For example one of Australia’s leading theme parks, Dreamworld, has already increased its Mandarin speaking guest services team members by 400% in anticipation of the rapid growth in visitors from China.

Dreamworld’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Stephen Gregg said the Chinese market had gained so much momentum that it surpassed Japan in the 2006-2007 financial year to become Dreamworld’s largest international source market.

Many attractions will offer visiting Chinese tourists surprise gift as well, special meal options and other value added services.

In the past 10 years, Chinese outbound tourism peaked to an incredible 700%. China’s economic boom has provided the Chinese with higher disposable income, while better diplomatic relations and relaxed travel regulations have given the Chinese more opportunity to travel to many overseas destinations.

World Tourism Organization predicts, by the end of year 2007 there will be nearly 37.5 million of Chinese tourists to travel abroad, a remarkable 17% increase since year 2006, and it is set to reach a staggering 100 million per year by 2020.

With over 130 countries now granted the Approved Destination Status (a bilateral tourism agreement between the Chinese government and foreign destinations permitting to receive Chinese tourists traveling on leisure) China is seen to be continuously working on extending the status to other countries.