Two New Airline Initiatives Welcomed by Tourism Tasmania

11 February 2009

CEO of Tourism Tasmania, Felicia Mariani, today welcomed two announcements by Virgin Blue and Jetstar which will provide improved air access to Tasmania.

“In a wonderful announcement for our domestic market, Virgin Blue has stated that from the 6th of April, they will run a new Canberra to Hobart service," Ms Mariani said.

The service will depart Canberra each day at 10:45 am and depart from Hobart at 12:45 pm.

"This exciting news is a welcome development resulting from the extensive and comprehensive work that Tourism Tasmania has undertaken over the past 6 months to evaluate and identify new route opportunities as part of its aviation strategy.

“Hobart-Canberra has been high on the radar for new route development off the back of the high level of interest shown by ACT residents in wanting to visit Tasmania. This is also a very high performing, high-yield route for business travel, an important consideration as airlines evaluate their route efficiencies.

In news which is as equally exciting, Jetstar’s announcement of their new ‘seamless ticketing’ arrangement with an initial ten major international airlines, headed by Qantas, will make Tasmania even more accessible to international visitors.

“As Jetstar provides the bulk of our capacity for the Qantas Group to Tasmania, this news now makes us far more visible and accessible to our key international markets wanting to connect with Tasmania.

“Having just returned from G’DAY USA, where I was part of the Tasmanian delegation promoting our state to the vast North American market, it was very clear just how much interest and desire there is internationally in our state as a holiday destination.

“Even in these difficult financial times, people will continue to travel. Recent ABS figures show that in December 2008, international arrivals into Australia actually increased by 3.4% on the previous month. Initiatives such as that announced by Jetstar today will help ensure Tasmania receives its share of those visitors.

“Air access is always an issue for Tasmania as an island. Today, we have positive announcements by the two carriers who provide the majority of air capacity for our state, supported by Tourism Tasmania’s strategic campaigns which target the very markets these airlines cater to.

“The impact the global financial crisis could have on our industry means we must do everything we can to ensure visitors want to come to Tasmania, and have easy access to our island. These two initiatives help to do just that.”

Further information: Jane McGee: 6230 8244