Air New Zealand : 14 August 2017 - Campaign to showcase the capital in China

The airline has partnered with Wellington Airport on the 72 hours in Wellington campaign which aims to increase awareness of the capital as a destination amongst potential visitors in the Shanghai region.

As part of the campaign, Air New Zealand will offer up to 1,000 free connecting flights to Wellington from Auckland or Christchurch for visitors flying with Air New Zealand from Shanghai, China to New Zealand.

The local tourism industry is also supporting the campaign through add-on offers at local attractions, hotels and restaurants which have been coordinated by the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (WREDA).

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon says, 'Our 72 hours in Wellington campaign is all about making Wellington a 'must-see' destination for the hundreds of thousands of Chinese visitors to New Zealand every year.

'China is New Zealand's second-largest international travel market with expenditure by Chinese visitors to Wellington up 17 percent in the year to June to an estimated $52 million, so it's important we continue to build on the work we've been doing and help visitors discover Wellington and promote what there is to see and do in the capital.'

Wellington Airport Chief Executive Officer Steve Sanderson says, 'Wellington is becoming more prominent as a destination for Chinese visitors.

'We're pleased to partner with Air New Zealand on this campaign. Wellington has a fantastic tourism product and the city has seen a significant increase in Chinese visitor spend relative to other parts of the country. This campaign is part of a wider strategy to encourage more travellers across Asia to visit the Wellington region.'

Air New Zealand operates daily flights between Shanghai to Auckland with domestic connections to Wellington.

Ends

Issued by Air New Zealand Public Affairs ph +64 21 747 320