The addition of direct flights between Auckland and Guangzhou is likely to boost the number of Chinese tourists visiting Queenstown, an Auckland airport spokesman says.
Asia's largest airline, China Southern Airlines, will run three flights between the cities (via Melbourne) each week, offering 88,000 more seats annually than are available now, it was announced yesterday.
The services, due to start by the end of April, were forecast to inject $50 million into the local visitor economy, Auckland Airport chief executive Simon Moutter said.
Guangzhou is the capital of the Guangdong province and is home to almost 12 million people, making it China's third most populous city.
Airport corporate relations manager Richard Llewellyn said it was expected "absolutely" some of those passengers would visit Queenstown.
"The addition of Queenstown as a destination for Chinese tourists is a very important and very influential ... part of our marketing when we partner with Chinese wholesalers, tourism industry agencies and travel group companies.
"We would encourage all visitors to see as much of the country as possible and Queenstown is very much the jewel in the New Zealand tourism crown."
Mr Moutter said better connections with Asia, China in particular, were critical for New Zealand trade and tourism.
China Southern Airlines chief executive Tan Wangeng said New Zealand was an aviation market with "huge potential".
