Qantas announced today that it would increase services to Ayers Rock from 6 October, with an additional 3 return services each week.

The CEO of Voyages Hotels and Resorts, managers of Ayers Rock Resort, praised Qantas for its timely action in response to the desperate need for additional capacity to one of Australia�s key tourism icons, following the grounding of Ansett almost two weeks ago.

Grant Hunt said, �The decision demonstrates that Qantas recognises the importance of key regional tourism destinations and the important role tourism plays as a major economic driver.�

October and November are peak months for Ayers Rock Resort with management expecting hotel occupancy to average 95% until December. With Ansett carrying 25% of all visitors to Ayers Rock, this business was in jeopardy. �It doesn�t only effect our business�, Mr. Hunt said. �We have been receiving calls from many international travel operators telling us that when visitors cannot get to Ayers Rock, they will often cancel their whole Australian itinerary.�

Ayers Rock Resort, which hosts over 420,000 guests a year, is the gateway to the Red Centre for many visitors, both from overseas and Australia. It opens up itineraries to Kings Canyon, the Western MacDonnell Ranges and onto Alice Springs.

Despite the combined effects of the Ansett collapse and the terrorist attacks in the United States, international tourist demand for the Uluru is still running high. Mr Hunt said, �While we have experienced some cancellations, the majority of inquiries to our customer service centre have been to reconfirm or to make new bookings.�

As 70% of visitors to Ayers Rock Resort are from overseas, this demonstrates the continued buoyancy of key international tourism markets and confirms Australia�s reputation as a safe destination during these troubled times.

�Now that we have secured additional flights, we can focus on getting out there and telling the global travel industry that we are open for bookings!� Mr Hunt said.

He thanked Qantas, the NTTC and the wider travel distribution network for providing support for the additional Ayers Rock services.

The new service will depart Sydney on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

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Voyages Hotels and Resorts, formerly Ayers Rock Resort Management, is the leading hotel operator in the Red Centre, and manages the three major properties in the region: Ayers Rock Resort, Kings Canyon Resort and Alice Springs Resort. www.voyages.com.au

For more information contact: Lailani Burra, Acting Corporate Public Relations Manager Ph: 61 2 9339 1000, 0418 815 210