AIA holds big tourism hopes for new China-NZ service

By Phil Boeyen, ShareChat Business News Editor

Thursday 6th July 2000

Auckland Airport is touting mainland China as a potentially lucrative tourist market.

Given the recent difficulties companies such as Aquaria and Lion Nathan have faced doing business in China, the clever dollar could be on bringing people from China over here instead.

The first scheduled direct air service from China to New Zealand was scheduled this week week, flying into Auckland from Beijing via Shanghai and Sydney on what will be a regular twice a week service.

The MD of Auckland International Airport, John Goulter, says China has the potential to be a significant player in New Zealand's tourist industry.

"With New Zealand being an accredited tourist destination of the Chinese Government, we are well positioned to benefit from the emerging trend for Chinese to travel to more distant destinations."

For the year ended May 2000, growth in visitor arrivals to New Zealand from China increased by 65%.

He says the new air service provides New Zealand with the opportunity to tap into this largely undeveloped market and should result in continuing strong growth.

Tourism New Zealand has recently set up its first office in mainland China and is proactively marketing New Zealand holidays with the approved outbound agencies in China. It is also working closely with Australia, the only other country with approved destination status, to encourage tourists to visit both countries.

Air China is the largest airline operator within the People's Republic of China operating 64 aircraft and employing over 15,000 staff. It has a well-established domestic and international network with Beijing as its home base.

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