AirAsia Announcement - Good News for Travel Across the Ditch

Media release

January 12 2015

AirAsia Announcement - Good News for Travel Across the Ditch

AirAsia X today announced they will be launching a daily route from March 2016 between New Zealand and Kuala Lumpur, via the Gold Coast. A move Flight Centre NZ are excited about.

Sean Berenson, Flight Centre NZ general manager product says, “Australia and the Gold Coast in particular, has always been a popular holiday destination for Kiwis and the re-introduction of low-cost carrier AirAsia X on the route can only mean further good things for our customers keen on this part of Australia.”

“The announcement will allow for more choice on this route, particularly during peak travel periods, something we welcome at Flight Centre given the rise in demand we’ve seen ourselves.”

In December 2015 Flight Centre NZ saw an almost 20 percent increase in bookings to the sunny state (via Brisbane and Gold Coast airports), compared to the same month in 2014.

Mr Berenson says that while beach holidays on the Gold Coast remain a top pick for Kiwi travellers to Queensland, Flight Centre NZ has also seen a shift recently in customers looking for experiences that are a little out of the ordinary.

“We’ve certainly seen an increase in demand from our customers who are looking to explore more of what Queensland has to offer. A hot air balloon experience over the Gold Coast hinterland is a favourite of mine and for those keen to get up close with some of the wildlife in Queensland, swimming with humpback whales in the Sunshine Coast is available between June and November.”

Flight Centre NZ also recommends the following for keen holiday makers to Queensland:

Moreton Island – only a 75 minute catamaran cruise from Brisbane, Moreton Island is the perfect holiday destination for families seeking a unique adventure. Protected and treasured this is natures theme park where amazing natural encounters are just part of the everyday experiences. The most famous region of Moreton Island is Tangalooma. The star attraction at the resort is the unique activity of hand-feeding a pod of wild bottlenose dolphins.

Fraser Island – offering a refreshing change from the bustle of mainland Australia, Fraser Island has the absolute best that one island can offer. As a World Heritage-listed Island it’s well protected to allow visitors to discover the rare and beautiful destination. Take the kids on a tramp through the cool towering rainforests, swim in one of the many freshwater lakes, climb the huge sand dunes and visit the Maheno shipwreck.

Rainforests – in north Queensland, the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics includes Kuranda Rainforest and the Daintree - the oldest tropical rainforest on earth. On the Gold Coast there is the Hinterland, Lamington and Springbrook National Parks. On the Sunshine Coast there is the Hinterland & Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve overlooking the Glass House Mountains National Park.

Sailing trip, Whitsundays – a little further afield, the Whitsundays offer some of the world’s best sailing and cruising holidays. The combination of a warm climate, steady breezes, clear turquoise waters, secluded coves & anchorages, fringing reefs & isolated beaches is irresistible.

Sandy Cay Escape, Great Barrier Reef - if you fancy spoiling yourself and escaping to your own private tropical paradise then an escape to Sandy Cay ex Port Douglas is an experience not to be missed. Relax in solitude on your own secluded beach nestled in the turquoise waters of the Coral Sea. After your exhilarating helicopter flight out to the Cay you can swim, snorkel and enjoy a delicious hamper.

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