Flights to China ready for take-off in boost for Tasmanian tourism

DIRECT flights between Hobart and China could begin as soon as June, providing the golden ticket for Tasmania’s tourism industry.

Hobart Lord Mayor Damon Thomas is heading off for talks with the general managers of Chin

DIRECT flights between Hobart and China could begin as soon as June, providing the golden ticket for Tasmania’s tourism industry.

Hobart Lord Mayor Damon Thomas will hold talks today with four major Chinese airlines in Melbourne at a meeting facilitated by the consul general for the People’s Republic of China.

General managers from China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Air China and Sichuan Airlines will attend the high-powered meeting.

“The extraordinary economic growth of China and the emergence of a wealthy middle-class presents us with a real opportunity to capitalise on the growing Chinese tourism market in Australia,” Ald Thomas said.

“The advantages are enormous and open up not only tourism opportunities but also education and live product export opportunities; potentially millions of dollars of positive benefit to Tasmania.”

Chinese tourists now spend more money in Tasmania than any other nationality, pumping $23 million into the state last year.

Ald Thomas said the meeting was “a wonderful gesture” on behalf the Chinese Government, providing an opportunity to “woo” the country’s airline executives.

“We’re taking with us material from Tourism Tasmania, prospectuses for the city and a book on Tasmania for each of them,” he said.

“We’re selling Tasmania, not just Hobart. We’re taking a state attitude to it.”

Ald Thomas was confident of securing direct charter flights from China to Hobart and hoped to see the scheduled flights under way in time for the Dark Mofo festival in mid-June.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin says charter flights could eventually deliver a boost similar to the lucrative cruise ship market.

He said charter flights were the first step in securing a regular international service for Tasmania, with the extension of the Hobart airport runway.

“We’ve got to push forward with this because we’ve got to be a destination that’s not always reliant on connections through Melbourne,” Ald Thomas said.

He said potential visitors were put off by the hassle and time involved in arranging connecting flights from interstate cities.

Ald Thomas said Hobart should look to develop a major Chinese festival in August or September, “when it’s really hot in China (and) people want to escape”.

“(It’s a time) when our hotels desperately need to be full and our restaurants are waiting for the tourism season to start.

“If we can do that, then I think everyone is a winner.”

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said Ald Thomas should be commended for coordinating today’s meeting.

He said charter flights could eventually deliver a boost similar to the lucrative cruise ship market and were the first step to securing an international service, which would be “the cream on top”.
“But we need to be mindful that it’s going to start with very small numbers and (there will be) a lot of logistical issues and resources needed to secure the market,” Mr Martin said.

Customs and additional quarantine facilities would need to be developed at the Hobart airport.

Mr Martin said local tourism operators would also need to cater experiences specifically for Chinese visitors.

He recommended the development of specialised tours incorporating up to 20 iconic Tasmanian destinations and attractions which Chinese tourists were known to enjoy, including local lavender farms, Pennicott Wilderness Journeys’ Seafood Seduction trip, Port Arthur, Cradle Mountain and Freycinet.

Some local hotels are already preparing for an influx of Chinese guests, adding Chinese dishes to their menus, stocking local newspapers and educating staff in cultural sensitivities and basic greetings.