ONE of China's holiest men, Abbot Daoci, has been officially welcomed to the Whitsundays, ahead of a free community seminar about the Guan Yin Buddhist faith at the PCYC at 3pm today.

Abbot Daoci has not travelled outside China for about 20 years and this is his first visit to Australia. During his 10-day trip, the man described by some as the Chinese equivalent of the Pope, is expected to visit Cairns, Adelaide and the Whitsundays.

He was invited to the Whitsundays by the Chinese Australia Entrepreneurs Association (CAEAI) and Whitsunday mayor Jennifer Whitney, who travelled to his Mount Putuo temple as part of last year's trade mission to China.

The CAEAI have expressed an interest in establishing a Mt Putuo temple and Buddhist college in the Whitsundays.

Cr Whitney said this could have the ability to draw huge numbers of visitors to our shores, with more than 10million people having visited the Mount Putuo temple in China to date.

Cr Whitney said it was a privilege to meet the holy man and an honour to have him come here and conduct a seminar for the community.

"It is said that wherever Guan Yin Buddhism is practised, there will be good health, peace and prosperity, which we are happy to welcome to the Whitsunday region," she said.

"We also hope the possibility of establishing a Buddhist temple within the Whitsunday region is progressed during this visit."

This morning, an opening ceremony for the new Australian Guan Yin Buddhist Association, was held at the Cannonvale headquarters of the CAEAI, potentially marking the beginning of a new era.

Whitsunday Regional Council's CEO Scott Waters said the purpose of the association formed today, would be to professionally manage the construction of the proposed facilities and carry the project forward.

CAEAI president Mr Raymond Wang said now that the dream was coming true, he was very excited.

"But I'm fully aware this is just the beginning [and] there is still a long way to go," he said.

Cr Whitney said no development applications had been lodged as yet, but Abbot Daoci and his Chinese delegation would be touring the region over the next couple of days, looking at potential sites.

Through a translator, Abbot Daoci said he hoped the Guan Yin faith could bring peace and harmony for the region and the locals.

A full house is expected for this afternoon's seminar in Airlie Beach.