China–Pacific Tourism Engagement: Opportunities and Challenges

Tourism is a pillar industry in the Pacific, contributing 11.1 per cent of the region’s GDP, or US$3.8 billion, and creating 131,010 jobs in 2018 (South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) 2019:3). This In Brief argues that the increase in Chinese tourists to the Pacific in pre-COVID-19 times and China’s promotion of tourism cooperation as part of people-to-people links suggest opportunities for Pacific tourism industries after the pandemic. However, the challenges to these industries are notable, such as the decline of Chinese tourists to Palau, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of direct flights between China and Pacific Island countries (PICs).Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trad