Chinese tourism to Victoria state in Australia is expected to surge with new direct flights to Melbourne from Shanghai and Nanjing by China Eastern Airlines, starting next month. Increased numbers of visitors is anticipated to add $205 million annually to the Victorian economy. Pre-pandemic, China was Australia’s largest inbound market, but tourism has not yet recovered post-Covid. The new flights will provide 100,000 extra seats annually and increase airfreight capacity by 3,650 tonnes.