New direct flights from China to send Gold Coast tourism soaring

Published Tuesday, 05 May, 2015 at 02:59 PM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Education and Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Kate Jones

The Gold Coast is set to welcome thousands more travellers from China thanks to new non-stop flights starting in September.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Kate Jones today signed an agreement with Jetstar Airways and Hubei Wanda New Airline International Travel Services Co. Ltd to secure the new direct flights between China and the Gold Coast.

Premier Palaszczuk said under the landmark agreement, Jetstar would operate two flights a week between Wuhan and the Gold Coast providing seats for up to 35,000 additional travellers a year.

“The new route represents an important aviation milestone for Queensland, marking the introduction of the first non-stop services from China into the Gold Coast,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Over two years the Wuhan-Gold Coast service has the potential to generate $53 million in visitor expenditure to the local economy, in turn supporting jobs and small business.”

 Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the agreement delivered on the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to grow tourism in Queensland.

 “Tourism supports jobs and small business and that’s why we are committed to working with Gold Coast businesses, industry and community to help drive tourism growth, particularly from the important China market,” Ms Jones said.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said Chinese travellers loved the Gold Coast, with 60 per cent of all Chinese visitors to Queensland including the Gold Coast on their visit.

“City of Gold Coast has long recognised the opportunity of the Chinese market and working with Gold Coast Tourism has driven the push for direct flights,” Cr Tate said.

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of a concerted campaign which will inject millions into the local economy and help create more local jobs.”

Gold Coast Tourism Chairman Paul Donovan said the Gold Coast’s Tourism industry should be congratulated for initiating the service and contributing the lion’s share of the investment needed to make it happen. 

“Working in close collaboration with the City of Gold Coast, Gold Coast Airport, Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) and Jetstar we have achieved this landmark outcome. Without this genuine partnership it would not have been possible,” Mr Donovan said.

“Tourism from China to the Gold Coast now totals 186,000 visitors per year, making China one of the Gold Coast’s largest international tourism markets. Gold Coast Tourism’s long-term strategy is to ensure this growth continues long into the future.

“China is Queensland’s largest international market by visitor expenditure, with visitors spending $591 million in the year to September 2014.

 “The Queensland partners will work with Jetstar and Hubei Wanda New Airline International Travel Services Co. Ltd in Wuhan to explore marketing opportunities to support the service.”

 Jetstar Australia and New Zealand CEO David Hall said the new flights open up an important tourism market for South East Queensland.

 “It’s a credit to the Queensland Government, Gold Coast City Council, Gold Coast Tourism as well as Gold Coast Airport that they’ve been able to attract the Dalian Wanda Group’s investment to this vibrant region,” Mr Hall said.

 “We’re really pleased to contribute to this unique partnership and it’s a great opportunity for us to build our presence in the Chinese market with the establishment of a direct service from Australia.”

 The Wuhan to Gold Coast Jetstar service will commence 29 September 2015.

Media contact:

Premier’s Office 3719 7000

Minister Jones’ Office 3719 7530