Chinese flights to boost tourism

SUNSHINE Coast tourism authorities are licking their lips over the prospect of thousands of cashed-up Chinese visitors having improved access to the region following the resumption of direct flights between China and Brisbane.

Premier Anna Bligh announced yesterday that China Southern Airlines would begin three weekly services between Guangzhou and Brisbane from November 1. Ms Bligh said the deal ? the first of its kind since 1997 ? could bring almost 4000 extra Chinese travellers to Queensland each month.

Along with Tourism Queensland, the job of marketing the Coast to the massive and growing Chinese outbound market will rest with the region?s new tourism body. A new destination management organisation will steer tourism in the region from July 1.

News of the flights follows a Daily report last week revealing that scores of millionaire Chinese investors were eyeing the Coast. Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said yesterday that the direct flights provided the Coast with a great opportunity.

Mr Lawlor said China?s outbound market was exploding and the direct flights to Brisbane presented an irresistible opportunity for all tourism operations.

?From the Sunshine Coast?s point of view, it?s a really good opportunity to access the Chinese market.?

Tourism Sunshine Coast acting chairman John Atkin said the number of Chinese visitors to the region was not great, but it was a market that could not be ignored. Some 153,000 Chinese visited the state last year, up 16% on the previous year.