China Southern Airlines boost New Zealand tourism

China Southern Airlines has provided a significant boost to New Zealand tourism in 2011, media reports said recently. According to reports, the rise in direct flights to New Zealand from China has spurred a 1.7 percent increase in foreign arrivals in November 2011 as compared to the same month in 2010.

The airline had started daily flights to Auckland from Guangzhou in November. According to New Zealand government, the total visitor arrivals reached 230,000 in November last year.

Kevin Bowler, Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive, said that the commencement of daily flights to New Zealand by China Southern Airlines from November 1 has certainly boosted tourism in the country.

In 2011, China Southern Airlines carried more than 70 million passengers.