Tourism Council Western Australia (WA) said Monday that an agreement between the state government and the Chinese authority will encourage more visitors from China.

Premier Colin Barnett signed a memorandum of understanding with the China's National Development and Reform Commission during his recent visit to Beijing.

The agreement covers a range of industries, including mining, agriculture and energy.

Tourism Council WA Chief Executive Evan Hall said the agreement will create a lot of travel back and forth between WA and China.

"We've been working with the industry to gear up to that; we think travel from China will double over the next 12 months and will probably be one of our biggest markets within the next two to three years," Hall told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Hall also said the agreement can boost the state's tourism investment from China.

"We're particularly keen to see hotel investors from China who might be able to help us with our absolute shortfall of hotels, particularly in Perth, and investment in new aviation services to open up travel between China and Western Australia," he said.

WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive James Pearson said the bilateral agreement may have a positive impact to a broad range of industries in the state.

"This isn't just about the mining industry and big infrastructure; greater Chinese investment in Western Australia stands to benefit a whole range of industries -- tourism, for example," he said.