Asia's largest airline, China Southern Airlines, has agreed to
and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tourism New
Zealand and Auckland Airport that sets out initiatives and a
commitment to increase international tourism and trade potential
for both countries.
A signing ceremony took place in Auckland yesterday, on the
second day of a four day incentivised 'mega' familiarisation tour
for 250 of China Southern's top agents, corporate partners and
premium customers, hosted by China Southern Airlines' top executive
team including President and Chief Executive Officer of China
Southern Airlines, Mr Tan, Wan Geng.
Australasia is not only an important regional marketplace for
China Southern Airlines to boost its internationalisation process,
but also the most direct and powerful supporting point to enhance
its international brand. In April last year, the Guangzhou-Auckland
route was officially launched with the concerted efforts of China
Southern and Auckland Airport.
Over the past year and a half, this route has witnessed a flight
frequency increase from three times weekly to daily, and also an
ever-upgraded in-flight service, making China Southern the largest
carrier in the China-Australasia market.
"China Southern will pledge full use of these new opportunities,
brought about by the signing of this MOU yesterday, to strengthen
the cooperation, communication and friendship with New Zealand,"
says Mr Tan.
"China Southern is moving full speed ahead with the development
of the Guangzhou hub to better serve as the connection between
China and New Zealand to provide safe, reliable and on-time
services to travellers throughout New Zealand and around the
globe."
The MOU marks the next phase in fostering a closer working
relationship between New Zealand and China, one of the world's
fastest growing economies and inbound travel markets, says Auckland
Airport's Chief Executive Adrian Littlewood.
"Broadly speaking, the agreement between China Southern
Airlines, Tourism New Zealand and Auckland Airport sets out each
party's intention of working together to strengthen the commitment
between New Zealand and the airline to aid future growth between
the two countries. We realise the significant opportunity for New
Zealand tourism in assisting China Southern to expand its service
with Auckland, and we are thrilled the airline has reciprocated by
pledging its commitment to New Zealand in the form of the MOU
agreement," he says.
"The MOU agreement, together with the visit to New Zealand by
the 250 elite China Southern travel partners, is very much in line
with our Ambition 2020 goals to develop more New Zealand
experiences and higher quality offerings for Chinese visitors."
Other aspects of the MOU include jointly working to develop
awareness in the Auckland and China markets, and helping create
demand for China Southern Airlines' Canton route; studying route
performance and developing future plans; sharing ideas and
knowledge to assist product development and growth opportunities;
and sharing meaningful information and research for mutual
benefit.
"China represents
a huge growth opportunity for New Zealand, and it is pleasing to
see China Southern Airlines investing in promoting this market in
China so strongly through its hosted travel agent visit this week,"
says Kevin Bowler, Tourism New Zealand's Chief Executive.
"The positive impact of this visit cannot be underestimated. To
that end, Tourism New Zealand is only too happy to throw our
support behind China Southern Airlines, and Auckland Airport, to
grow our ties with China, in the form of an MOU agreement."
The MOU was signed by Mr Tan of China Southern Airlines,
Auckland Airport's Chief Executive Adrian Littlewood and Tourism
New Zealand Chair Kerry Prendergast. Attending the ceremony were
more than 60 senior representatives from New Zealand travel, trade
and tourism organisations, China Southern Airlines and Auckland
Airport.
China Southern Airlines' delegation visit to New Zealand
included a gala dinner last night in Auckland which was attended by
New Zealand tourism industry and business leaders. This is followed
by three days of leisure activities for the 250 visiting travel
agents before they depart on Friday 14 December. The delegation
will enjoy a range of activities in the Bay of Islands, Auckland
and Waikato, including visiting the Hobbiton movie sets.