Jetstar-China Eastern Alliance Will Grow Visitors From Greater China

China Eastern Airlines

Andrew McEvoy, Tourism Australia Managing Director, has welcomed the announcement of a new strategic alliance between Jetstar and China Eastern Airlines as further proof of the growth potential of Greater China and Asia more generally.

"As an industry in transition but, importantly, one whose future growth strategy is so closely aligned to the powerhouse markets within Asia, the improved capacity wrapped into this deal is good for Australian inbound tourism," Mr McEvoy said.

"Last year, we announced a long term Memorandum of Understanding with Jetstar which was all about growing inbound visitors from Asia and this gives Australia even more ability to tap into this rich vein of growth.

"China Eastern is also a significant Tourism Australia partner and this will further enhance the relationship," Mr McEvoy concluded.

Mr McEvoy welcomed the continuation of China Eastern's existing 14 weekly services to Australia, a significant contribution to the record 70 weekly return services now operated in total between Australia and China.

Jetstar

China is Australia's fastest growing and most valuable international tourism market, with 558,000 visitors fromChina for the twelve months to January 2012, a rise of just under 20 per cent. In the same period, direct visitor arrivals from Hong Kong rose to 166,500, up two per cent.

Mr McEvoy said Tourism Australia would continue to back and seek future strategic opportunities to capture ongoing visitor growth from Greater China, which this deal presents.