BY JAMES WILKINSON
Singapore Airlines’ new low-cost airline Scoot has announced the Gold Coast as its second destination in a significant boost to tourism to South East Queensland.
The Singapore-Gold Coast flights will operate five times per week from June 12, adding over 100,000 seats into the region, and Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter said the new service will help the region boost inbound numbers from Asia – a key objective for the destination marketing organisation.
“Access is vital in the international tourism market, and in our region there is no better access than to be directly connected to the global network which Singapore delivers,” he said.
“The Gold Coast has today achieved a new standing as an international destination with regular direct flights from the Asian hub of Singapore unlocking a massive network of access and promotional opportunities.
“Gold Coast Tourism has led the way in developing the Asian travel market over the past five years through dedicated resources, continuous marketing campaigns, and a relentless program of travel industry partnerships and education.
“The benefits of that strategy have already made an impact with visitation from markets such as China, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia consistently increasing and offsetting declines from more traditional source markets, now direct access out of Singapore will amplify that success,” he said.
Back in December, Sydney was announced as Scoot’s inaugural destination, with flights expected to now launch in late May ahead of the Gold Coast services. At the time, Scoot said Sydney flights would launch in “mid 2012” with tickets due to go on sale in the first quarter of the year.
Mantra CEO Bob East said the new Scoot services provided an extensive inbound tourism opportunity for the region.
“The greatest benefit from Scoot flights into the Gold Coast is the 150 ports that feed directly into Singapore,” he told HM. “By securing Scoot the Gold Coast has opened access from all major source markets from the Middle East, Europe, Asia and the Americas.
“The tourism sector will obviously benefit hugely from this and our network of over 20 hotels on the Gold Coast will cater perfectly to this market – especially Peppers Broadbeach which provides a boutique apartment accommodation option unlike no other on the Coast. Likewise, our Mantra properties provide some 1900 rooms to cater for the expected numbers.”