Kiwis soon to get their fix of Sunshine, by Lunchtime
Those trying to get away from the New Zealand winter can enjoy ‘sunshine by lunchtime’ with seasonal direct services from Auckland to the Sunshine Coast with Air New Zealand.
Those trying to get away from the New Zealand winter can enjoy ‘sunshine by lunchtime’ with seasonal direct services from Auckland to the Sunshine Coast with Air New Zealand. A nationwide promotional campaign, ‘Sunshine by Lunchtime,’ by Visit Sunshine Coast, Tourism & Events Queensland and Air New Zealand has kicked off with the aim of showing kiwis all the great things they could be enjoying in the sunshine by lunchtime.
Air New Zealand’s non-stop seasonal service commences 7 July and will run until 29 October flying into the heart of the Sunshine Coast at Maroochydore.
Sunshine Coast Airport general manager Peter Pallot said the annual Air New Zealand services have gone from strength to strength over the past six years with passenger numbers increasing year on year as visitor awareness grows.
“Each year we look forward to welcoming our Air New Zealand visitors flying direct to the Sunshine Coast from Auckland.
“Air New Zealand is a strong and valued partner of Sunshine Coast Airport and their continued investment in the region is testament to the popularity of the direct flights over the July to October season,” Mr Pallot said.
‘Sunshine by Lunchtime’ is in line with the Regional Tourism Organisation’s own, recently launched ‘Come to Life’ on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast campaign in that it is visually rich and aims to highlight the Sunshine Coast’s ‘naturally refreshing’ attractions. Add to this the accessibility message offered by the direct services and you have a “hugely attractive winter sun proposition for New Zealanders,” says Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Simon Latchford.
Mr Latchford cites the region’s mild and sunny ‘winter’ climate, where temperatures remain around the 25C mark throughout the winter months, as being ideal for experiencing the very best of contemporary beach culture, rainforest trekking in the nearby hinterland, exquisite dining and fresh local produce along with a calendar of exhilarating events and some of Queensland’s most immersive encounters such as Swimming with Whales.
Air New Zealand Chief Revenue Officer Cam Wallace says, “The popularity of the Sunshine Coast as a destination has been growing steadily and we’re looking forward to offering a direct service between Auckland and Maroochydore for a sixth season with up to four weekly services. By timing our services to depart Auckland at 9.30am, Kiwis can arrive at lunchtime ready to kick off their winter break and enjoy the very best Sunshine Coast has to offer.”
New Zealand is the largest international market for the Sunshine Coast with 66,000 visitors coming across the ditch to the year ending December 2016, (an increase of 9.2% from 2015).
With the launch of the new campaign, an exciting calendar of events (including celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the naming of the Sunshine Coast from August) and a record level of direct flights to Sunshine Coast Airport, 2017 shows no sign of slowing down.
For more information visit www.airnewzealand.co.nz/flights-to-sunshine-coast