The return of the Japan summer charter series as announced by
Air New Zealand last week signifies that confidence is returning to
the Japan market following a period of post-earthquake decline.
Air New Zealand last week confirmed a summer season charter
programme of 14 flights to New Zealand over the December 2012 -
March 2013 season utilising the 230-seat Boeing 767-300. This
charter programme double the size of last year's programme
represents an additional 3,200 available seats to New Zealand over
the Japan peak season.
Air New Zealand has also confirmed that six of the charter flights
will operate directly to the South Island from this December
increasing arrivals direct into Christchurch, following the decline
as a result of the earthquake.
Tourism New Zealand's Regional Manager Japan and Korea Nick Mudge
welcomes the commitment from Air New Zealand and key travel
partners to run the summer charter series again.
"The extra capacity for the summer season charter programme shows
confidence in the recovery of the market and is encouraging.
"Direct charter flights into Christchurch are great for the city
as it rebuilds and are hugely beneficial for the wider South Island
which will also see a direct increase in Japanese visitors.
"The quality of the Japanese market has long been important to the
New Zealand tourism industry, and this charter programme provides a
great opportunity to deliver more high value customers from Japan
over our peak summer season.
"Japan is New
Zealand's fifth largest arrivals market in terms of high value
visitors. With the largest population of High Net Worth
Individuals in Asia, and the second largest in the world after USA,
Japan also has the highest percentage of mono-NZ holidaymakers
amongst our long-haul markets globally, at 94 per cent," says
Nick.
Typical itineraries for visitors flying into New Zealand on the
charter services include onward travel to popular tourist
destinations including Auckland, Rotorua, Canterbury Mt Cook,
Queenstown and Fiordland.
Tourism New Zealand is supporting the charters with a programme of
trade training and consumer seminars working directly with the
Japanese trade partners.
Speaking at TRENZ earlier this year, Air New Zealand's deputy
chief executive Norm Thompson said that the airline is focused on
the lucrative Japanese market, which he believed would bounce back
strongly.
For more information on Japan visit the Japan market pages here.