Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

Tourism Council WA released (08-Jun-2017) the results of the Perth Hotel Development Report 2017, which identified that a significant increase in leisure visitors is required to fill thousands of Perth hotel rooms either recently completed or under development. The report shows 1485 hotel rooms have been completed in Perth since 2012, with another 1421 currently under construction for completion expected in 2017/18. Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall stated: "While the latest International Visitor Survey showed moderate growth, WA had lost significant market share of international visitor spend in Australia over the past several years. The ongoing loss of market share when it comes to international expenditure is not conducive to filling the 1400 new hotel rooms currently under construction or for the creation of jobs for Western Australians". [more - original PR]

Tourism New Zealand released (08-Jun-2017) its annual Approved Destination Status (ADS) market update for China. Over 100,000 Chinese visit New Zealand each year on a group tour using a special ADS visa. To help maintain high standards for these visitors this market is governed by a Code of Conduct managed by Tourism New Zealand's China Market Development Unit. Highlights of the update include:

• China outbound growth slowing;
• New Zealand China arrivals to reach 900,000 p/a by 2023;
• Greatest growth in FIT arrivals;
• Stronger growth in premium ADS group tour arrivals;
  • Mono destination and longer stay;
• Slowing growth in ADS shopping group tour arrivals (proportional decline);
  • First time travellers;
  • Stimulated by new airline capacity. [more - original PR]

Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) urged (08-Jun-2017) the Queensland Government to recognise the importance of the state's tourism and transport sectors and support their growth through increased investment in the upcoming State Budget. TTF CEO Margy Osmond stated: "Tourism is crucial to the growth of the Queensland economy, generating AUD27.7 billion (USD20.9 billion) in consumption as well as directly contributing around AUD11.2 billion (USD8.4 billion) to total Gross State Product and employing more than 135,000 people across the state". [more - original PR]

Tianjin Airlines, via its official WeChat account, announced (08-Jun-2017) plans to launch Chongqing-Melbourne Tullamarine service on 31-Oct-2017. Reservation for the service is now available through online travel company Tuniu. The carrier previously planned to commence the three times weekly service on 27-Sep-2017, as per a 23-Jan-2017 GDS and inventory timetable display.

Auckland Airport CEO Adrian Littlewood stated the airport received rapid growth "in only the last few years", with passenger traffic increasing by 26% from early 2014 to 2017. The number of international airlines serving the airport also increased from 18 to 29 within the three years. Mr Littlewood said this growth has helped "fuel New Zealand's recent tourism boom and bring real economic growth to our cities and regions" this encouraged competition, reduce airfares and "provided more travel options for Kiwis". As previously reported by CAPA, tourism surpassed dairy as New Zealand's top export earner since late 2016. [more - original PR]

Christchurch International Airport appointed Catherine Drayton as chairwoman of its board from Oct-2017 (Stuff, 07-Jun-2017). Ms Drayton will succeed David McKenzie.

Australia's Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall commented (07-Jun-2017) on China's status as a key origin market for international inbound tourism to New South Wales following the release of International Visitor Survey results for the year ending 31-Mar-2017. Mr Marshall stated: "For the first time, the number of visitors from China exceeded 700,000 for the year and they spent almost AUD3 billion while here". The Minister added that while "China continues to lead NSW's tourism growth" the survey also revealed "a huge jump in visitors from Korea, Japan, India and Indonesia, with these markets growing by more than 15 per cent". Going forward Mr Marshall said the ministry plans to "continue to capitalise on the diverse opportunities on offer in China by actively building new markets, supporting new products and services and develop our industry partnerships". [more - original PR]

Qantas announced it will uphold bans set by several Middle Eastern countries who have cut ties with Qatar by not allowing Qatari nationals to board services passing through select airports (Reuters, 07-Jun-2017). Speaking at the IATA AGM in Cancun, Qantas International CEO Gareth Evans stated affected travellers will be offered alternative routes or refunds.

Qantas plans to launch nonstop service for Sydney-London as soon as the technology is available (Stuff, 08-Jun-2017). Speaking at the IATA AGM in Cancun, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce stated the carrier was talking to Boeing about new 777Xs, and to Airbus about super long-range A350ULRs.

Qantas and American Airlines plan to submit a new application to the US Department of Transportation requesting an expanded alliance on transpacific routes (Mice BTN, 07-Jun-2017). Qantas international chief executive Gareth Evans stated the carriers will go through with a new application within the next few months, hoping the change of US President in Jan-2017 will assist with approval.