Monday 9 April 2018

Scoot boosts Singapore to Gold Coast service

Singapore airline Scoot will expand its Gold Coast service in a deal that will deliver $42.2 million for Queensland over three years.

Scoot will increase the capacity of its Singapore to Gold Coast service from four times per week to up to five times per week from Monday.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the boost to the service from April 2018 would bring almost 19,000 extra passengers to the Coast and support up to 170 jobs over the next 12 months.

“The Gold Coast’s tourism industry is going from strength to strength and today’s announcement is a testament to the fact that more people than ever want to visit the Coast,” she said.

“We have a strategy to ensure the Gold Coast’s tourism industry continues to grow in coming years – a big part of that has got to do with strengthening our links with key tourism markets and attracting more direct flights.

“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government is investing an extra $170 million in tourism in this term of government, $48 million of which will go to our Attracting Tourism Fund.”

Ms Jones said Singapore was an important tourism market for the Gold Coast, particularly following the Commonwealth Games.

“Singapore is an important international gateway for Queensland and this increased capacity will allow us to grow and better connect with this market, which is a major focus for Trade 2018 – the Commonwealth Games Trade and Investment Program.

“The great part about an expansion of services between the Gold Coast and Singapore is the potential this has to open up access with other key tourism markets in the UK, India and China.”

Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said the deal would support Gold Coast businesses.

“We’re working hard to make sure we keep attracting more international guests to our great city,” she said.

“Tourism is worth $5 billion to the Coast and supports 46,000 jobs but we know these numbers can improve – that’s why we’re investing so heavily in this space in this term of government.

“More direct flights from Asia are crucial when it comes to creating more jobs in our tourism industry. We’ll continue to partner with airlines and the Gold Coast Airport to bring more tourists to the Coast.”

Scoot Country Manager Australia Jared Simcox said Gold Coast-Singapore flights had been expanded because of the popularity of the Gold Coast as a destination.

“The existing service has been doing well and passenger numbers continue to grow,” Mr Simcox said.

“From the time that people wake up and look at the window to get their first views of the Gold Coast, they have a smile on their face.”

Gold Coast Airport Chief Operating Officer Marion Charlton said the announcement was a welcome addition in time for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“The increase in services is really well timed in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games - providing more opportunity for tourists to travel to the Gold Coast for the major event,” Ms Charlton said.

“We look forward to working with Scoot to ensure continued growth of these services into the future.”

Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter congratulated Scoot on adding the extra service, which would directly benefit the visitor economy of the Gold Coast.

“Our partnership with Scoot was their first globally and has since delivered great results for both parties,” Mr Winter said.

“We currently welcome more than 30,000 visitors a year from Singapore to the Gold Coast and this will only increase with the expanded capacity.

“As a hub for travellers throughout Asia, the Singapore-direct service is also of major importance to us, and as markets mature, will bring travellers from throughout the region.”

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