Page 24 - Tropic Magazine Issue 15

INDUSTRY • TOURISM

Pig in mud

More independent travellers
are expected to ring in the
Chinese Year of the Pig in
Tropical North Queensland.

According to Chinese legend, the pig is
a symbol of wealth and fortune. Good
news, then, for local tourism operators
when Chinese New Year is celebrated in
Cairns in early February. CHINESE NY 2018 In for the long-haul
Tourism Tropical North Queensland
(TTNQ) CEO Pip Close said group tours Cairns Airport figures for
are expected to soften but there should February 2018 showed visitor China Southern Airlines
be an increase in individual travellers numbers increased by more is celebrating its one-year
who tend to stay longer and spend more. than 20% to 61,000 at the anniversary of direct flights
“There is an increase in independent, semi international terminal. to Cairns.
self-guided and high-end package tours
with travellers demanding customised Domestic numbers increased The world’s fourth largest airline began
flexible travel experiences,” Ms Close told by 9% to 305,200. flying to Cairns from Guangzhou last
Tropic. “This shift should bring higher- December, to coincide with Chinese
value travellers who stay longer than the Accommodation in the New Year. Since then, the airline has
two nights favoured by groups and TTNQ city was close to capacity, delivered more than 30-thousand
is actively pursuing this market to boost especially at the five-star tourists to Cairns through its thrice
expenditure for the region.” hotels, with a number of weekly services. And a year on, China
More direct flights from China have apartments and mid-range Southern’s commitment to Tropical
been scheduled to arrive in Cairns hotels also reporting strong North Queensland is clear.
between December and March, Chinese figures. As well as flying into Cairns four times
compared with the same period last a week for return trips this December,
year. China Eastern Airlines has Across the Cairns area, there January and February, the airline is
extended its seasonal schedule to put on was 86.1% occupancy rate. offering one night’s free accommodation
additional flights from Shanghai, while Palm Cove showed the greatest in Guangzhou for passengers with long-
China Southern Airlines has increased increase with a 19.3% boost. haul connections.
its weekly Guangzhou to Cairns service China Southern Cairns general manager
from three flights to four. Kevin Xu told Tropic the carrier has very
Paul McLean, Cairns Airport’s Chief CHINA SOUTHERN competitive flight prices, particularly in
Aviation Commercial Officer, said RETURN FLIGHTS business class, for people who want to
Chinese tourists are also expected to connect to Europe and south-east Asia.
arrive from Hong Kong and Singapore. Cairns to: “China Southern offers Cairns locals
“Cathay Pacific has three flights a Most destinations in Europe: the opportunity to access the world
week to Cairns from Hong Kong and Around $1200 through Guangzhou in the same way
Hainan airlines have two flights into they have previously with Singapore and
Cairns each week from Shenzhen,” London: Hong Kong,” he said. “Guangzhou itself,
he said. “SilkAir will also be carrying $1100 and sometimes as low though, is great place to spend some time
passengers from Singapore to Cairns as $999 to explore.”
for Chinese New Year and fly here five Southeast Asia: Through China’s 72-hour visa waiver,
days a week. The terminal atmosphere Between $500 and $700 airline passengers in transit can stay for
will be welcoming for the visitors and up to three days in Guanghzhou without
there will be special retail promotions China: a visa. Mr Xu said other benefits of flying
happening in the terminals.” Around $600 with China Southern included excellent
Pip Close said direct services are very For more details visit your local inflight services and a higher baggage
important to growing visitor numbers travel agent. allowance than other carriers.
in the high-value Chinese traveller
market. “The Chinese visitors arrive on
international and domestic services
making it difficult to quantify just Standby Zone
how many are visiting Cairns, but
accommodation statistics and airport Cairns Airport has introduced a new free holding area for motorists waiting to
passenger numbers show the region pick up passengers for a maximum of 30 minutes. The Standby Zone will offer a
was busy during the 2018 Chinese New maximum of 22 spaces for customers who are able to stay with their vehicle. The
Year,” she said. new zone is now clearly identifiable with orange wayfinding signage throughout
the airport precinct.

24 • Tropic • Issue 15