China’s largest travel booking website Ctrip.com, has voted Sydney one of the world’s Top 10 Best Overseas City’s and Top 10 Best City for Travellers born in the 80’s, Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris said today.

“The Ctrip awards’ reflect the Harbour City’s position as the number one Australian travel destination for visitors from China,” Mr Souris said.

“Sydney is Australia’s leading tourism and major events city and the recognition received at these awards will further enhance Sydney as a destination of choice for people living in China.”

Sydney was ranked 10th in the Top 10 Best Overseas City’s category, which attracted votes from over 3 million internet users.

In the Top 10 Best City’s for Traveller’s born in the 80’s, Sydney came in at 3rd place and was selected by a panel of 20 travel industry experts including Bin DAI, President of the China Tourism Academy and Simin LIU, from the Tourism Research Center in China.

Mr Souris said the Sydney accolade was reflective of the investment the Government, through Destination NSW, had made in the China market as well as the destination appeal of Sydney and New South Wales for China visitors.

“Of all the Chinese visitors to Australia, 61 per cent visit New South Wales during their stay. China is now the largest international contributor of visitor nights and expenditure in NSW.

“For the year ending September 2013, a 17.7 per cent increase saw more than 413,000 visitors to NSW from China, which contributed $1.38 billion to the State’s economy”.

Ctrip is China’s largest travel service provider, delivering travel services to more than 90 million members via both online and traditional travel agency services.

Mr Souris pointed out that this latest award was one of many honours Sydney had recently received including:
· World’s best festival and event city for the third consecutive according to the International Festivals & Events Association (IEFA)
· Condé Nast Traveler USA Reader’s Choice Awards as the best city in Oceana, World’s Favourite Overseas City, in the Conde Nast Traveller UK Reader’s Choice Awards
· Top 5 Best World Destinations, in the UK Cruise International Awards
· Number One City in Australia, in the Trip Advisor Travellers Choice Awards.