New Singapore Airlines flights to Canberra a

21 September 2016

The touchdown of Singapore Airlines Flight 291 from Singapore into Canberra today is a game changer for Canberra’s visitor economy according to Ian Hill, VisitCanberra and Cultural Canberra Executive Director. Mr Hill said the start of the four times per week direct international flights from both Singapore and Wellington, New Zealand opened up new markets for the nation’s capital. Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan praised a coordinated ‘Team Australia’ approach to landing the new service. “VisitCanberra and Canberra Airport, in particular, should be warmly congratulated for the hard work that has gone into securing what is a significant tourism coup,” he said.

The touchdown of Singapore Airlines Flight 291 from Singapore into Canberra today is a game changer for Canberra’s visitor economy according to VisitCanberra and Cultural Canberra Executive Director Ian Hill.

Mr Hill said the start of the four times per week direct international flights from both Singapore and Wellington, New Zealand opened up new markets for the nation’s capital.

“Traditionally, the tourism sector has relied in the past on domestic tourism, so these direct flights four times per week will dramatically increase the amount of both inbound tourists from not just Asia but also across Europe.”

Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan praised a coordinated ‘Team Australia’ approach to landing the new service.

“VisitCanberra and Canberra Airport, in particular, should be warmly congratulated for the hard work that has gone into securing what is a significant tourism coup,” he said.

“For our own part, Tourism Australia has already been actively promoting the new service in Asia and Europe, and will look to step up our marketing activity now that the new service is up and running.

“Singapore Airlines is one of our longest standing international airline partners, and this is further evidence of their strong and growing commitment to Australia,” Mr O’Sullivan added.

In conjunction with the inaugural flight to Canberra Tourism Australia is hosting a party of journalists from China who will be visiting the ACT and NSW as well as attending a cocktail reception to celebrate the launch of the new flights to Canberra.

New Zealand is currently Australia’s leading inbound visitor market by arrivals and fourth largest market by spend while Singapore is Australia’s fifth largest market by arrivals and seventh largest market by spend.

Combined, visitors from New Zealand and Singapore spent over A$4.1bn in the year to June 2016. Find out more about the New Zealand and Singapore markets.