ECHUCA is ready to break into the Chinese market.

In fact, it seems, it already has.

On Tuesday the first group of tourists from the largest Chinese tourism company arrived in town.

And according to Australian Paddlesteamers director Craig Burgess, it was a hit.

‘‘It went very well,’’ he said.

 

‘‘We were very happy. They will be back today and on January 3.

‘‘Tuesday was the first tour they’ve done but essentially they (the tourism company) will be marketing us every day.

‘‘The feedback was really good.’’

As part of the visit the Chinese tourists spent time in Bendigo before coming to Echuca where they picked their own strawberries at The Strawberry Pick and enjoyed a trip on board the Emmylou paddlesteamer.

And in between all that they checked out the rest of the Port too.

‘‘They were going to have a horse ride but they ran out of time,’’ Mr Burgess said.

‘‘This is something different they can do. They haven’t been on a paddlesteamer before or around fresh produce. The Echuca trip means they can do both and more.’’

Which is why Mr Burgess believes the program is set to grow.

‘‘The region will benefit massively,’’ he said.

‘‘We have not tapped into the Chinese market yet, and it has great potential to grow, just like it has in other tourist destinations.’’

Chinese tourists — initially in groups between eight and 14 — will now be visiting Echuca three days a week all year round.