Tourism Australia�s Managing Director, Scott Morrison today welcomed Qantas� announcement of an additional weekly service between London and Sydney via Hong Kong to commence in November this year.

�This increase in services is great news and an indication of the growing demand for air travel between Australia and this key tourism market,� Mr Morrison said.

�This announcement is further demonstration of Qantas� commitment to Australia as a tourism destination.� There are currently 24 carriers servicing Australia from the UK, with travellers from the UK accounting for about 15 per cent of all international arrivals in Australia. �Visitors from the UK not only tend to stay longer in Australia and spend more money, they also tend to travel around the country spreading the economic benefits of tourism to rural and regional areas,� Mr Morrison said.

With the addition of this service, Qantas will operate 28 services per week between London and Australia via Singapore (17 per week), Bangkok (7 per week) and Hong Kong (four per week from November).

�With average annual growth for the UK market projected to be around 4.3 per cent over the next eight years, it is great to see Australia�s international airline increasing services to one of Australia�s key markets,� Mr Morrison said. �There is a strong affinity between Australia and the UK, and Tourism Australia�s activities in the market aim to ensure we continue to convert this interest into actual ticket bookings and more people spending their holiday dollar here in Australia.

�With the promise of daily flights from the UK via Hong Kong by April next year, Tourism Australia is working hard in the UK market to stimulate consumer interest in Australia and increase money spent in Australia once travellers touch down,� concluded Mr Morrison. These activities form part of the Australia: A Different Light Brand campaign, that uses cinema, television, outdoor and print advertising as well as an integrated mix of consumer marketing and trade development activities to entice potential travellers to Australia.

For further information, contact Tourism Australia: Louise Hodges PH: +852 2531 3869 lhodges@tourism.australia.com