CHINA Southern Airlines will commence thrice-weekly service from Guangzhou to Adelaide starting December, the second airline to fly direct to the Australian city this year, with Qatar having started a daily service in May.
“This presents a huge opportunity for Adelaide with the Chinese market,” said Damien Kitto, CEO of Adelaide Convention Bureau.
“Over the past 18 months, our focus on China has been increasing with a dedicated Mandarin speaking staff member joining our team. Relationships (are also) being developed and strengthened via more regular in-market visits and showcase events such as Dreamtime.”
The Adelaide Convention Bureau stated that they will be channeling resources towards the wider Asian region as well as sending its director of sales and marketing to Qingdao in tandem with the Adelaide City Council’s trade mission happening this week.
The bureau is also positive that incentive groups will be lured by the nonstop service coupled with the prospect that South Australia produces 80 per cent of the country’s premium wine, allowing Chinese travellers the chance to visit the notable wine region while passing through nearby destinations such as Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln.
Kitto added: “Adelaide’s offering of an abundance of fresh food including some of the best seafood in the world, premium wine, ease of accessibility and convenience with an enviable environment and lifestyle has, based on feedback from both delegates and those visiting on familiarisations, proven popular with the Chinese market.
“The direct flights by China Southern Airlines, along with flights from Asia by Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Cathay Pacific further increase our opportunities within the Asian market and China.”
