Korean flights deal to swell tourism
theage.com.au
THE Federal Government has further loosened its grip on international airlines' access to Australia, announcing a deal with Korea that will boost tourist numbers by about a quarter.
Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile said the agreement would allow Korean airlines to provide up to 8500 seats each way a week to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. The deal allows Australian airlines the same access to Korea.
It continues the change in direction from the Government, which had been accused of protecting Qantas. In the past year, Middle Eastern carriers Etihad, Emirates and Qatar airlines have been granted better access.
Mark Dimech, national aviation director with Tourism and Transport Forum Australia, welcomed the announcement because it would help increase what had become "one of Australia's fastest-growing and biggest-spending markets".
"Korea is one of Australia's most exciting tourism markets — expenditure by visitors from Korea grew by 54 per cent in 2006 to reach $903 million, the biggest increase in spending by visitors from any country," Dr Dimech said.
"Visitor arrivals from Korea are forecast to grow by 64 per cent between 2006 and 2016, and strong, flexible air services agreements will play a key part in enabling this growth."
