MORE KOREAN CHARTERS FOR CAIRNS

Korean Air has confirmed an increased number of mid-year charter flights to Queensland, Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said today.

Mrs Keech said 12 special charter flights to Cairns would operate throughout July and August, with total seating capacity of 3576.

“In recent years, Korean Air has been a wonderful supporter of Queensland and recognises the benefits of offering increased services to our state,” Mrs Keech said.

“This is the fourth year running that the airline has announced special mid-year charter flights to Cairns, highlighting the importance of direct access to Queensland for the Korean market.

“This year, there will be an additional two weeks of charter flights throughout Korea’s summer holiday period of July and August.

“Korea is one of Queensland’s key emerging markets and this announcement is a further confirmation that our state is seen as a major destination for Korean travellers.

“July/August is the main summer holiday period in Korea and Queensland’s beautiful clear winter days offer the perfect, easily-accessible getaway.

“Like last year, the flights will bring hundreds of Korean tourists to the Tropical North, and provide a major boost for the local economy.

“This offers our increasing number of Korean visitors a total of six weeks to utilise more direct flights to enjoy Queensland’s delightful winter climate.”

Mrs Keech said the announcement came on the back of Korean Air’s expansion of regular flights to Brisbane late last year.

“Korean Air is continuing to boost its Queensland services, acknowledging the status of Korea as one of our key emerging markets.

“In October 2006, we welcomed the airline’s increase of direct Seoul to Brisbane services from three to five a week, and now we are able to announce yet another positive result.

“Tourism Queensland and its Korea office, along with Tourism Tropical North Queensland, have been working hard on a variety of marketing activities to ensure our industry reaps long-term benefits from this market.

“It is forecast that the number of Korean visitors coming to Australia will increase by as much as 65 per cent by 2015, making service enhancements such as this even more significant.”

The charter flights will operate twice-weekly from 13 July to 24 August this year.

Korean visitation to Queensland has increased at an annual rate of 4 per cent over the last five years, to 77,200 last year. The Tropical North welcomed 9700 visitors from Korea last year.

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