New Zealand Launches First Central Regional Route for Chinese Travellers in Beijing

(Tourism New Zealand,  Air China and other 6 travel agencies attended the launching Ceremony)

Today, Tourism New Zealand made the corporation with Air China and 6 travel agencies to launch a new twelve-day in-depth travel route of the North Island and South Island, serving the central area cities led by Wellington and Marlborough. The twelve-day long trip includes abundant elements: natural landscapes, food and wine, wild animals, outdoor activities and arts humanities, and fully reflects the feature of the rich experience within reach of New Zealand. Meanwhile, Air China will fly the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on New Zealand route on October 30th to provide a superior experience for Chinese tourists who visit New Zealand.

(“New experience to be explored” Package Tour)

Themed on “New experience to be explored”, this newly launched package tour route is jointly issued by CAISSA Touristic, China CYTS Tours Holding Branch Company, China International Travel Service, Huayuan MNB, Beijing Utour International Travel Service, and China Travel Service Head Office. The first tour group will be leaving on November 30th. The route runs through the North Island and the South Island, other than the typical regions like Kaikoura, Christchurch, Lake Tekapo and Queenstown, Wellington and Marlborough in the central region are the first to be added to the route. The nearly two-week trip includes various and abundant elements: natural landscapes, food and wine, wild animals, outdoor activities and arts humanities, fully reflects the feature of the rich experience within reach of New Zealand.

(Wellington was rated as the “World's Coolest Small Capital” by Lonely Planet)

Wellington is rated as the “World's Coolest Small Capital” by Lonely Planet, which combines art, culture, television and many other good elements. Tourists can visit the world-famous Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the world-class film visual effect workshop—Weta Workshop and run through the Cook Strait to enjoy one of the most beautiful trips on ferry. Marlborough is the largest grape-growing and grape-making area in New Zealand and is honored as the Home of Sauvignon Blanc. In addition to the dazzling varieties of wine, agricultural products, game and fresh seafood, the city also features its variable natural landforms such as fjord and forests, which are favored by outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. The famous actors Huang Lei and Sun Li once took their 20th anniversary honeymoon trip here in 2015.

"With the in-depth promotion of the 100% Pure New Zealand in China, Chinese tourists have already aroused great domestic enthusiasm in New Zealand tour. The Annual Report of China Outbound Tourism Development 2016 released by China Tourism Academy shows that New Zealand topped the Overseas Destination Satisfaction for two years. With the increasing understanding of New Zealand, more and more Chinese tourists begin to seek unique and unforgettable traveling experience. It is Wellington and Marlborough which was never deeply explored by Chinese tourists that is the summary of natural landscapes, fresh seafood and unique wine. We're all waiting for the visiting of Chinese tourists." David Craig, Asian Managing Director of Tourism New Zealand said.

(The Launching Ceremony)

"We provide one round-trip flight a day and 3000 seats a week to support the interaction between Beijing and Auckland since the opening of direct flights on December 10th, 2015. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which will be put into use on this route on October 30th, features large-view portholes, increase in luggage compartments makes the cabin space broader; noise has been reduced by 60% in the same level models; lower cabin pressure makes the flight more comfortable; personal entertainment system provides various audio and visual options for every passengers, all these will give passengers a better personal space and flight experience. Air China has cooperated with Tourism New Zealand many times since opened. “This time we make a powerful combination with six core travel agencies in Beijing to jointly launch the "New experience to be explored" -- Journey through the North- and South Island of New Zealand. We hope to provide a special trip for passengers through the product cooperation model with Tourism Administration and travel agencies as well as the superior experience of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner." Wang Jie, Vice President of Commerce Commission Marketing Department of Air China said.

(New Zealand features at the site)

The number of tourists has rapidly increased since the opening of direct flights from Beijing to New Zealand. Data released by Statistics New Zealand show that the Beijing - New Zealand tourists has reached 53,616 in a year by the end of August, 2016, a 33 percent increase from a year earlier, which makes Beijing the second tourist source city in China for New Zealand. In addition, the staying time of Beijing tourists in New Zealand was also significantly improved; Beijing visitors who travel to New Zealand for tourism purposes, on average, stay for 9.4 days, which is higher than the national average.

About Tourism New Zealand

Established in 1901, Tourism New Zealand is the first national tourism administration in the world. The target market of New Zealand is the international tourists who have certain spending power and seek new experiences like contact and interaction, and are respectful to the natural, social and cultural environments.