Australia embraces Christchurch’s winter

News release
May 27, 2009

Australia embraces Christchurch’s winter

Australians taking advantage of low trans-Tasman airfares and increased seats are helping keep international visitor numbers up in the South Island, as tourists respond enthusiastically to a strong marketing push by Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism and Christchurch International Airport Ltd.

And with the South Island’s skifields close to opening the numbers of Australians visiting our shores is likely to increase even further over the coming months.

The growing number of Australians visiting our shores helped push trans-Tasman passenger numbers at Christchurch Airport up 11.7% last month compared with April 2008. Domestic passenger numbers fell by 3.5%.

Gareth Owen, general manager of marketing and business development for Christchurch International Airport Ltd, says the growth in international passenger numbers is due to a combination of factors.

“Passengers have responded well to the increase in capacity by Emirates, with a 40% increase in seat capacity being met by the near doubling of passenger numbers. Pacific Blue also increased capacity by adding 10 return flights compared with the same time last year, again met by a significant increase in passengers carried.

“The increased capacity offered by airlines has been supported by a strong marketing campaign push into Australia by CIAL, Tourism New Zealand and Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism, and development of the largest ever winter ski campaign into Australia through partnership with South Island businesses," Mr Owen says.

The ski industry is hoping to attract a record 100,000 Australians here this winter and believes this could be the best ever ski season.

“We’re putting a lot of effort into marketing Christchurch and Canterbury to Australians and we’re now seeing that pay dividends," says Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism chief executive Christine Prince.

“As winter approaches we expect to see more and more Australians coming here for a winter holiday because it’s never cost as little or been easier to fly across the Tasman and there are many very attractive packages on offer once they get here.’’

Mr Owen says growth on the trans-Tasman market, supported by increased marketing efforts into Australia, is ensuring the South Island tourism market continues to hold steady despite the recession.

“We are noticing that Canterbury and South Island tourism has been relatively sheltered from the worst effects of the global economic downturn, with the trans-Tasman route showing an increase in both passenger numbers and capacity," he says.

Ms Prince is confident the favourable exchange rate coupled with cheap airfares and good accommodation deals will make the idea of a ski holiday in the heart of the South Island very appealing to many of the 1.1 million Australians who actively ski or snowboard.

“They can jump on a plane in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane and be in Christchurch in three hours and on the slopes in four-and-a-half. I think everybody dreams of having a magical winter holiday. That dream is now obtainable thanks to the low airfares and increased capacity on the trans-Tasman routes.

“Australians who come here for a winter holiday can be guaranteed a warm welcome and the time of their lives," says Ms Prince. “They will find all the details they need to plan and book their holiday on www.christchurchnz.com."

ENDS

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