QUEENSLAND WANTS INDIAN CONNECTION

Delhi: Increasing direct aviation access and capacity from India to Queensland will be a major priority during 2007, Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said today.

Mrs Keech, who is leading the Queensland on Tour – India 2007 trade mission this week, will be urging airlines to consider adding Queensland to their schedules.

“I have already had discussions with Indian Airlines. Other meetings while I am in India have been scheduled with Kingfisher Airlines, Jet Airways, Qantas and Singapore Airlines,” she said.

“India offers enormous potential, particularly in the student, honeymoon and business tourism segments.

“But to maximise the benefits that can flow from India, we need to boost airline capacity.”

Mrs Keech said India was one of Queensland’s fastest growing tourism markets, with visitation increasing by more than 23 per cent to 23,300 in the year ending September 2006.

“India has been under the Beattie Government’s tourism spotlight for some time,” she said.

“Through the new Government-funded Queensland Tourism Strategy (QTS) we have been able to invest further funding and resources into growing this market.

“One of the key issues is that while we are seeing significant increases in visitor and expenditure growth, there are currently no direct flights to and from Queensland and India.

“Right now Qantas flies direct services inbound three times a week between Sydney and Mumbai and via Darwin outbound. This equates to 891 seats per week each way.

“Typically, Indian arrivals to Queensland fly with Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, and Cathay Pacific through Asian hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

“Considering India has a population of well over one billion people and Queensland is experiencing unprecedented visitor growth from the market, the time is right to start working with airlines and the Indian tourism industry to increase direct access to and from Queensland.”

Mrs Keech said increasing aviation access and capacity was pivotal in increasing Indian tourism opportunities for Queensland operators.

“Through the Queensland Tourism Strategy we are dedicated to securing the economic, social and environmental sustainability of Queensland’s tourism industry,” she said.

“The protection of Queensland’s traditional $3.2 billion international holiday market and the development of new emerging holiday markets is extremely important.

“Increasing direct flights to key international markets is a big part of this development process.

“The Beattie Government, through Tourism Queensland, has invested significantly to increase opportunities from India.

“We now have a dedicated Tourism Queensland office and staff in Mumbai, allowing us to work closely with the tourism industry to develop Queensland tourism products for the Indian market and potentially increase airline access.”

Media contacts: Jo Gibbons 3224 2007 or David Smith 3225 1005 / 0409 496 534