Canterbury tourism thrilled by direct flights from Japan

October 28, 2011

Canterbury tourism industry thrilled by return of direct flights from Japan

The resumption of direct air services between Japan and Christchurch signals confidence in the long-term viability of Christchurch & Canterbury as a visitor destination, says the region's tourism chief executive.

From Monday, 31 October Air New Zealand will fly direct services into Christchurch from Japan three times a week.

The airline cut its direct services between Christchurch and Japan following the earthquakes earlier this year, but it is now restoring capacity by introducing Boeing 777-200 three class aircraft into the route and resuming its normal summer schedule.

Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism chief executive Tim Hunter says Air New Zealand's decision to reinstate regular direct flights is a sign that confidence is returning in Canterbury as a destination and that the South Island remains a premier draw-card for Japanese visitors.

"It is a really positive development and will provide a big morale boost to our tourism operators. Japan has traditionally been a very important market for us so it is vital to have the direct air link," Mr. Hunter says.

"If anything the bonds between Christchurch and Japan have strengthened over the past few months because we've both gone through devastating natural disasters and we understand the challenges each other is facing.

"The Japanese have always loved Christchurch for its gardens and green open spaces and the Ellerslie International Flower Show is a big draw-card for them, so it's fantastic to have flights between our city and Japan restored," Mr. Hunter says.

"They also love getting out into the countryside and exploring our wide-open spaces. Aoraki/Mt Cook is a favourite destination and we're constantly getting inquiries from Japanese visitors about stargazing tours in the Mackenzie Basin. They can't believe how clear the skies are here and how bright the stars are.''

Mackenzie Tourism General Manager Phil Brownie says, "Tourism developments such as the new Glacier Explorer trips on the Tasman Glacier lake and the Earth and Sky Stargazing trips at Lake Tekapo are favourites for the Japanese market. Having direct air connections back will certainly boost market recovery."

CIAL General Manager of Aeronautical Business Development Matthew Findlay says the flights illustrate the strong demand from Japanese travellers to visit the South Island.

"Christchurch Airport is the gateway to the South Island and travellers arriving here tell us they love flying in over the mountains they came to see," says Mr Findlay.

Singapore Airlines is to increase its flights to daily to Christchurch from November and Air Asia X has brought an extra 7,500 Malaysian and South-East Asian visitors to Christchurch in four months to August since it started services in April, a 506 per cent increase over the previous year.

"Christchurch is still very much the gateway to the South Island and it is vital we re-establish the air links we had prior to February's earthquake as soon as possible because we need international visitors to keep our tourism industry afloat."

ENDS

© Scoop Media