(Yicai Global) March 20 -- Chinese travelers were the biggest spenders in Australia for the sixth straight year in 2017 after contributing to a quarter of the country's tourism income.

About 1.33 million tourists visited Australia and spent AUD10.4 billion (USD8 billion), or 14 percent more than 2016, the Economic Daily reported, citing data from Tourism Research Australia. Spending by international tourists climbed 6 percent on the whole to AUD41.3 billion.

The Australian government is promoting the country through targeted marketing, visa reforms and additional flight routes, said Steven Ciobo, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. The country now issues 10-year 'frequent traveler' visas for Chinese passport holders applying from the mainland, and is setting up an online platform so they can apply for visas at home.

There are also now more flights running between the two countries, connecting 17 Chinese cities with seven in Australia. China-Australia flight paths leaving China are now the second-largest long-distance international market behind routes between China and the United States.

Civil and trade exchanges between the two countries are also on the up, and Australian companies are optimistic about investment prospects in China, according to a March 15 survey by the China-Australia Chamber of Commerce and the Australia China Business Council. The Asian nation remained Australia's largest trading partner last year, and most Australian companies saw income and profits in China rise significantly over the past two years.

About 65 percent of Australian companies in China increased their investment there last year, and 80 percent plan to ramp up spending there this year, the survey showed.