Beijing Capital Airlines set to fly into Melbourne

MELBOURNE - Chinese tourism in the Australian state of Victoria is set for a major boost after Beijing Capital Airlines announced on Tuesday that it would become the latest international carrier to fly into the city of Melbourne.

Victoria's Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren joined Beijing Capital Airlines president and chief executive, Xu Jun, on Tuesday to announce the tri-weekly service between Shenyang, Qingdao and Melbourne, which is set to begin in September this year.

Eren said Beijing Capital Airlines' new deal was a further boost to Victoria's tourism industry.

"Beijing Capital Airlines has chosen to fly to Victoria because it knows we are an attractive destination for thousands of Chinese nationals each year," he said in a Victorian State Government media release on Tuesday.

"International visitor expenditure is crucial to Victoria's prosperity, and our long list of international airlines are our allies in the sky."

"More international visitors means more opportunities for Victorian businesses and more jobs for Victorians."

More than 530,000 Chinese nationals visited Victoria in the year ending March 2016, providing $1.7 billion in expenditure, and helping support the 200,000 Victorian jobs in the tourism sector, according to the media release.