Qantas needs ‘aggressive’ China strategy: Rudd

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has urged Australia’s national carrier to adopt a robust China growth strategy, including a non-stop flight from Sydney to Beijing.

Mr Rudd claimed it was easier to fly with Qantas from Sydney to Beijing almost thirty years ago than it is today, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Speaking to the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, Mr Rudd said Australia and its flag carrier should look to the cash in on the Chinese tourism market as China’s demand for Australia’s resources wanes.

"Surely this expanding Chinese market is big enough for our national carrier to have an aggressive national growth strategy for the world's second largest economy?” Mr Rudd asked.

According to Mr Rudd, Chinese tourist numbers will be triple those of Japan's by 2020 and the government and tourism industry must do their part to adapt to what will be the world's “largest travelling class of people”.

Sourced: etravelblackboardasia