A LOW-COST offshoot
of Singapore Airlines will start direct
flights to the Gold Coast in June in a
deal said to be worth $65 million to the
local economy.
Scoot -- one of the newest airlines to
join the increasingly popular budget
market -- will fly to
Coolangatta
five times a week, potentially bringing
in 104,000 visitors a year.
The agreement opens the Gold Coast up to
Singapore's massive international
connections, which include flights to
Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the
US.
It also gives the region greater access to China,
with Scoot hinting the Asian powerhouse
is also on its destination target list.
The announcement, which was reported by
the Bulletin today ahead of this
morning's official announcement by
Premier Anna Bligh, comes after months
of closed-door negotiations between Gold
Coast Tourism and Gold Coast Airport
with the support of the Queensland
Government, Tourism Queensland and
Tourism Australia.
"This is a multi-million blueprint
partnership between government and
industry which will open up overseas
markets and support Queensland
businesses and local jobs," Ms Bligh
said at today's announcement on the Gold
Coast.
"Under the new deal with low-cost
carrier Scoot, an offshoot of Singapore
Airlines, we will be welcoming up to
2,000 international visitors who will be
flying direct into the Gold Coast on
five Scoot flights each week.
"This is the first partnership of its
kind under the Queensland Government's
aviation strategy, injecting up to $65
million per year into the local economy,
with all levels of government and
industry at the table.
Gold Coast Tourism boss Martin Winter
welcomed the news, saying Scoot was
about "choice, empowerment, great value
airfares and direct access to one of the
world's premier air hubs".
Queensland Tourism Minister Jan Jarratt
said Scoot's decision to fly to the
Coast demonstrated the potential in the
destination.
"Scoot commences the new five weekly
flights from June 12 and having the Gold
Coast as one of the airline's first
destinations is fantastic news for
tourism and another show of confidence
in Queensland," Ms Jarratt said.
"Aviation access is a key to unlocking
Queensland destinations like the Gold
Coast to international visitors and,
with the explosion of low-cost carriers
over recent years, it's crucial that we
remain competitive in terms of price and
ease of access.''
Scoot's new five weekly flights sill
start from June 12. Flights start on
June 12. Flights will go on sale in
coming months with Tourism Queensland
and Gold Coast Tourism to work with key
travel industry players in Singapore to
promote the new route and encourage
Singaporeans to think of Queensland for
their next holiday. Keep an eye on the
website at
www.flyscoot.com
Read more on this story in today's
Bulletin. |
-NZ
Tours
