A Chinese production crew were in Geraldton recently filming an episode of the popular online travel show, *Traveller*.

A Chinese production crew from Traveller, were in Geraldton recently to film an episode of a hugely popular online travel show.

Traveller is broadcast on QQ.com, China’s most popular website. Each episode of Traveller has been seen at least 3 million times.

The crew from QQ TV were in the region thanks to local tour operator, and owner of Geraldton Air Charter, Wendy Mann who believes that the production company chose to use her business because she has recently taken part in the China Ready and Accredited program that is run by the Tourism Council of WA, in conjunction with Tourism Australia and the Chinese Government.

“Businesses that are certified as China Ready are trusted by the Chinese Government to look after Chinese travellers and treat them with cultural care and understanding,” Mrs Mann said.

“Geraldton Air Charter believed that by obtaining China Ready Accreditation we could benefit from the potentially huge and largely untapped market in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.”

City of Greater Geraldton Acting Mayor, Neil McIlwaine, said more local tourist operators should consider getting ‘China Ready and Accredited’.

“Our aim is to position Geraldton and the surrounding region as a major tourist hub,” Councillor McIlwaine explained.

“We tried our best to highlight the best that the region had to offer,” said Mrs Mann.

“Whilst in Geraldton they filmed the Sydney Memorial and at the Fishermen’s wharf, we then took the whole crew to Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon) and the Abrolhos Islands.

“I also hosted them at my house where they filmed how to cook Abrolhos Lobsters the ‘local’ way.”

According to Councillor McIlwaine many local businesses benefitted from having the film crew in town.

“It is my understanding that Geraldton Air Charter had to charter two more aeroplanes as well as coaches to ferry the crew around,” he said.

“They also stayed in local accommodation, dined in local restaurants and even filmed a segment in Latitude Gallery.”

Mrs Mann said she would recommend more local tourist operators become China Ready and Accredited.

“We now have understandings with two major Perth based Chinese Travel agents and have also signed a contract with one of the largest travel agents in China,” Mrs Mann said

“We consider it something of a coup to have hosted the team from QQ and at looking forward to the awareness that will be generated when the program about Geraldton is streamed online on Christmas Day.”

For more information on becoming China Ready and Accredited visit www.tourismcouncilwa.com.au/accreditation/china-ready.