p13 news june19 17/6/09 10:00 Page 13
news exhibition report
ttglive.com
ATE 2009
June 13-19 ■ Melbourne, Australia
Air fares, swine flu and a fall in UK arrivals were
ARRIVALS.
topics at this year’s Australian Tourism Exchange.
Country bullish
Dave Richardson reports from Melbourne
despite 1% drop
Australia banks on low
AUSTRALIA is escaping the worst effects of
the global downturn despite being the latest
destination to be hit by swine flu.
Tourism Australia put out a positive message at
fares to spark tourism
ATE, after revealing that international arrivals fell
by just 1% in the 12 months to April 2009.
Although the UK market slumped by 6%, that
was a small drop compared with some Asian
Dave Richardson.
Tourism Australia figures show Qantas had a markets that were down by over 20%. Others, such
ROCK-BOTTOM air fares could help Australia 29% share of the ex-UK market last year, with as Malaysia, India and the Middle East, were up.
fight its way out of a predicted slump in UK Emirates on 18%. Singapore Airlines 15%, Cathay Asian visitors have also been quick to cancel
arrivals this year. Pacific 7% and British Airways 6%. after a swine flu outbreak, but no such reaction is
Gold Medal subsidiary Netflights was Rodney Harrex, the tourist board’s general expected in the UK market.
advertising a return fare of just £379 to Perth manager for the UK and Europe, said: “Fares Tourism Australia managing director Geoff
this week, including all taxes and charges. were up to around the £1,000 inclusive mark 12 Buckley said: “We are working in a very challeng-
Tourism Australia is forecasting a 36% rise in months ago, but people really respond to fare ing environment, but this is a global phenomenon
UK-Australia air capacity this year as Middle East cuts and will come back to agents asking their as travellers defer their plans.”
carriers ramp up capacity, and this could lead to advice in this climate. The film Australia, though panned by critics, has
more heavy discounting. “Short-haul holidays are suffering but we are been seen by 23 million people worldwide. Tourism
Emirates and Etihad are expanding, and Qatar well placed. When I look at competitors such Australia used it as the basis of its Come Walkabout
Airways will introduce Sydney and Melbourne as New Zealand and Hong Kong, Australia is in a advertising campaign, seen by 155 million people.
flights later this year. fortunate position.” “TV, print and radio are still important ways to
They are committed to new aircraft orders Australia’s tourism forecasting committee communicate, but our website is critical and social
despite the global slump, and Qantas – itself expects an 8.5% drop in UK arrivals this year, networking is really coming into play,” said Buckley.
increasing capacity – is facing hot competition. from the 2008 total of 632,000. Tourism Australia now hopes to better its
forecast of a 4% drop in international visitors this
year, as operators report a rise in late bookings.
FLIGHTS.
Qantas to maintain A380s
HOTELS.
QANTAS will not scale back on introducing more
Accor signs independents
Airbus A380 flights to London despite deferring
some orders for the super-jumbo. ACCOR Asia Pacific is continuing to sign independ-
It stepped up A380 services to three a week on ent hotels to its franchise brands at a time of falling
the London-Singapore-Sydney route this month. demand for the Australian hotel industry.
A daily A380 service will operate by the end of Cradle Mountain Lodge in Tasmania, Treetops
the year, with A380 flights to Melbourne starting Resort in Port Douglas, Queensland, and Balgownie
by the end of 2010. Estate near Melbourne are among new signings.
Commercial group executive Rob Gurney said: Peter Hook, Accor’s communications general
“We are probably adding too much premium manager, said: “Individual hotels are suffering and
cabin capacity for current market conditions, need a big distribution channel to support them.
but we are getting good seat factors generally. “There are few new hotels except in Melbourne,
“The A380 represents a 20% increase in YUMMY YAMMY: Aboriginal chef Mark so it is a case of consolidation for the industry.
capacity over the 747, but we will continue to Olive serves up some delicacies to ATE “The top end is suffering, but our concentration
operate four flights from London every day.” delegates in Melbourne. on the middle market is really paying off.”
19.06.2009 13
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