Australia welcomes direct China flights to Queensland

The first direct flights between China and Australia's Queensland since 1997 will open the door to a potential 3,600 extra Chinese travellers each month. China Southern Airlines will begin three weekly services between Guangzhou and Brisbane from Nov.1, 2010.

Queensland Preimer Anna Bligh said on Monday a 520,000 Australian dollar (441, 507 U.S. dollar) advertising campaign, jointly funded by Tourism Queensland, Tourism Australia and China Southern Airlines, would promote the new services.

She noted China was an important market for Queensland, with 153,000 Chinese visiting the state last year, up 16 percent on the previous year.

Tourism authorities believe Chinese visitors to Queensland will grow by 10 percent in coming years.

Brisbane Airport Corporation Managing Director Julieanne Alroe said China was Queensland's second largest trading partner, providing a strong case for the resumption of direct flights.

She said the education sector would also benefit as the number of Brisbane-based Chinese students increases.

"Our next goal is to convince China Southern to fly daily to Brisbane within the next two years," she added.

Source:Xinhua