New Zealand will soon be a step closer for thousands of
Americans with the announcement today of a new direct daily
Continental Airlines flight from Houston to Auckland.
New Zealand will soon be a step closer for thousands of
Americans with the announcement today of a new direct daily
Continental Airlines flight from Houston to Auckland.
The new service, from one of America's biggest air hubs, will
start in November 2011. The new route will open up the East and
central US, and connecting flights into Europe.
Tourism New Zealand and Tourism Auckland welcomed the
announcement as a great development for New Zealand.
Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler said New
Zealand has strong appeal as a specialist destination with North
Americans, particularly those interested in the outdoors, adventure
and culture.
"Our research shows that US visitors are New Zealand's most
satisfied international travellers, rating their visits at 9.4 out
of 10, and they are keen to recommend New Zealand once they've been
here."
Mr Bowler said the new service was a great opportunity for New
Zealand to attract more visitors from the US where Tourism New
Zealand was actively working to build New Zealand's profile.
"Auckland is a great arrivals point for Americans wanting to
explore the region and wider New Zealand," he added.
Tourism Auckland Chief Executive Graeme Osborne said as the
country's largest and most globally connected city, Auckland
welcomed over 70 percent of international arrivals to New
Zealand.
"This commitment from Continental Airlines is a significant coup
in Auckland's ability to host more American visitors. Securing
direct air links from the second largest US state is a huge win for
destination Auckland."
Tourism Auckland has worked in partnership with Auckland Airport
to help secure the direct Houston to Auckland flights.
"We're looking forward to working with Continental Airlines on
marketing activity to build awareness of Auckland as a visitor
destination and to drive increased visitation, length of stay and
spend," Mr Osborne said.
"This excellent result is testament to the airport's commitment
to developing new routes, coupled with its international reputation
as one of the world's top ten airports," he added.
As well as a direct connection to Houston, the new route will
open up opportunities for the European market with connecting
flights through Houston out of London, Amsterdam,
Paris and Frankfurt.
Mr Osborne said Continental Airlines' entry into New Zealand
complemented existing market development work in North America by
other airlines.
More information:
Sue Allen
Senior Advisor Public Affairs, Tourism New Zealand, 029 917
5466
Email: sue.allen@tnz.govt.nz
Jo Mackie
Communications Manager, Tourism Auckland
Tel: 09 979 7062, 021 227 7062
Email: mackiej@aucklandnz.com
Background:
- US arrivals to New Zealand to April 2010 were 194,352. The
median length of stay was nine days. The total US spending is
$596.9 million per annum.
- The flights to Auckland will be the first route of Continental
Airline's new 787 aircraft and run daily in summer and five times a
week during the off-season.
- Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, offers visitors a unique
combination of a world-class city set amongst a diverse region of
natural landscapes.
- Bordered by three stunning harbours, Auckland's lifestyle
offering is influenced by its maritime and voyaging heritage, which
sees it ranked on the Mercer lifestyle index as the fourth best
lifestyle city in the world.
Find our more about the North American market
in our market guide
Find
out more about Tourism New Zealand's work in the US with Air New
Zealand