Jetstar’s announcement today that it will operate a bi-weekly service from Queenstown to the Gold Coast from 17 December this year is fantastic news for the Queensland tourism industry, Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said today.

Mr Lawlor said Jetstar would introduce two flights from Queenstown into the Gold Coast in mid-December, which would contribute over 350 seats to the region’s international capacity from New Zealand each week.

“This represents a nine percent increase in international seat capacity from New Zealand to the Gold Coast and will effectively help to increase visitation to the region,” Mr Lawlor said.

“December could not be a better month to commence the route as it’s the first month of the summer season – the best time of year to book a holiday on the Gold Coast.

Mr Lawlor said as well as targeting the Australian and New Zealand markets, Jetstar would also promote the flights to international tourists.

“This will be a very attractive option for international tourists from Japan and South east Asia who can spend a few days in Queenstown and a few days at the Gold Coast.”

Mr Lawlor said the additional flights built on the existing routes from Auckland and Christchurch into the Gold Coast.

“Jetstar’s daily Auckland to Gold Coast flights make it possible for over 64,000 passengers from New Zealand to fly into the region each year,” he said.

“At the same time the airlines’ twice weekly Christchurch to Gold Coast flights added approximately 18,400 domestic seats into the Gold Coast each week.

“The strength of the Gold Coast tourism industry is in part reliant on the continued support of our aviation partners and we warmly welcome the commencement of the new Queenstown to Gold Coast flight route.

“I am sure the local tourism industry will join me in congratulating Jetstar on the instalment of this new service and lay out a warm welcome mat to our first Queenstown visitors arriving on this service.”

Mr Lawlor said the Bligh Government was committed to the New Zealand market as it remains Queensland’s and the Gold Coast’s biggest source of international visitors.

“More people from New Zealand visit Queensland than from any other international market,” Minister Lawlor said.

“399,000 New Zealanders came to Queensland in the year ended March 2010 and spent $528 million on their trips to Queensland.

Of these visitors, 207,000 New Zealanders visited the Gold Coast.

“This announcement just enhances Queensland’s desirability as an attractive tourist destination and I am sure other regions in Queensland will benefit from visitors who continue their holidays around the state.”

Mr Lawlor said $700,000 had been committed to growing the New Zealand market to Queensland as part of the State Government’s Tourism Action Plan to 2012, announced in January.