Christchurch and Canterbury campaign launches as Air New Zealand adds direct flights to Perth
NEW Zealand's Canterbury region is going all out to woo West Australians on new direct flights between Perth and Christchurch.
NZ & Pacific
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NEW Zealand's Canterbury region is going all out to woo West Australian visitors with a new tourism campaign timed to accompany the start of direct flights between Perth and Christchurch in December.
The print, outdoor and online advertising campaign beginning this month will introduce West Australian visitors to the attractions of the South Island region, including hiking, whalewatching and historic towns, Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism chief executive Tim Hunter said.
It comes ahead of twice weekly direct Air New Zealand flights between Perth and Christchurch from December 3 to April 26.
"The campaign is about showing West Australians the diversity of the experiences Christchurch and Canterbury have on offer in the hope they'll want to jump straight on the new direct service," Mr Hunter said.
"We are hoping to see significant opportunities for growth from the introduction of direct flights from the booming West Australian market in both business and leisure visitor numbers."
There has been a 22 per cent increase in West Australian visitors to New Zealand since 2010, and tourism officials are confident the direct service will see more of those visitors gravitate to Canterbury - a region still shaking off the effects of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
"West Australian travellers are generally staying longer and spending more, making them an attractive prospect for New Zealand," Tourism New Zealand general manager for Australia Tim Burgess said.
The Air New Zealand Boeing 767-300 service will leave Perth at 7.10pm local time on Wednesday and Saturday and arrive in Christchurch at 6.20am the next day.
Return flights leave Christchurch at 3.40pm and arrive in Perth at 6pm, with the potential to extend the service year-round if demand is strong.
For more details on packages, visit Flight Centre.
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