Tourism growth results in record year

Tourism growth results in record year for Christchurch International Airport

Christchurch International Airport has topped off a record year with an exceptional increase of over 15% in June international passenger numbers, with 109,901 international passengers through the airport.

"It's been satisfying to see passenger numbers continue to climb despite the high dollar situation over the past few months", said CIAL's General Manager Marketing & Business Development, Gareth Owen. "We have seen record months throughout the year, topped off by this 15.1% increase in June, and this has all contributed to a 3.8% increase in passenger numbers in our 2007 financial year."

The airport company has recorded a total of 1,557,979 international passengers for the year, 56,352 greater than the 2006 total of 1,501,617.

"We are seeing the clear results of our investment in Tourism New Zealand's 'What's On in the South Island' campaign, and of our other joint venture promotions, which have been attracting Australians to visit the South Island for short breaks in our shoulder seasons", says Mr Owen.

Mr Owen says that since the What's On campaign began in late March, CIAL has seen significant increases in trans-Tasman traffic, with an overall 6.5% increase in international traffic when compared with the same period of April – June last year. This equates to an increase of 17,800 passenger movements.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive George Hickton says the What's On Campaign had provided a welcomed boost to visitor arrivals for many regions in the shoulder season.

"The campaign has enabled regions to invest in television commercials in Australia for the first time ever. Christchurch International Airport is now one of our key partners in the campaign."

The campaign, which utilised television and online advertising from mid March to late April, filled part of a strategy by CIAL and South Island tourism operators to relieve pressure on the peak tourism periods by attracting visitors to the region in the spring and autumn, traditionally quieter months.

"It has been extremely satisfying to see more Australians visiting New Zealand as a result of a number of strong marketing campaigns," says Air New Zealand General Manager Australia John Harrison. "Air New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand, regional tourism operators and partners such as Christchurch International Airport Ltd have all worked hard to drive growth, with increasing numbers into the South Island a beneficial result for everyone involved."

ENDS

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