Great Barrier Reef calling: Chinese tourists make Australia a Lunar New Year hotspot

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Ralph JenningsFebruary 14, 2026 at 09:00 AM

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Australia is expected to be a top destination for Chinese tourists during the extended Lunar New Year holiday in February. China's travel industry anticipates a significant increase in visitors, with bookings projected to more than double compared to last year. The appeal of Australia's wine, seafood, nature, and flexible tour options, including attractions like the Great Barrier Reef and the outback, are driving the surge in interest. This increase coincides with China's longest holiday in years, designed to boost spending, and a possible shift away from Japan due to diplomatic tensions. Tourism Australia reports that Chinese tourists spent A$12.3 billion in the year ending September 2025, making them Australia's top market.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Sydney Fish Market 30% Melbourne 30% Japan 40% Nick Henderson 40% Beijing ×250% Trip.com 50% Tourism Australia ×260% Great Barrier Reef 60% Lunar New Year ×270% China ×480% Australia ×690%

Keywords

lunar new year 100% chinese tourists 90% australia 90% tourism 70% great barrier reef 60% travel industry 60% tourism spending 50% travel bookings 50% wine tours 40% natural wonders 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Positive

Score: 0.40

Source Transparency

Source

South China Morning Post

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

Australia

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis.

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lunar new year chinese tourists australia tourism great barrier reef travel industry tourism spending travel bookings wine tours natural wonders

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