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AUCKLAND – Air New Zealand is calling for more investment in China from the country’s tourism sector.
Ed Sims, Air NZ group general manager, international airline, said Air New Zealand is spending NZ$10 million a year on promotion in China compared with Tourism New Zealand’s spend of NZ$6 million over three years.
“The New Zealand industry has to get serious about its investments in China. We think it should be more ambitious,” said Sims.
“If you don’t invest seriously in China, the market can become unprofitable very quickly. We don’t want to be the lone voice.â€
Air NZ flies three times a week to Shanghai and twice a week to Beijing. It aims to expand to daily services.
Sims said that the airline has had to step back from its promise to launch one new long-haul route each year, and would not launch a new route in the next financial year.
Beijing, launched last year, is edging towards profitability, he said.
“With China in particular you look at a three-year life cycle for profitability.
“We launched Shanghai three years ago and we’re seeing good profitability. Beijing is still in its infancy but we believe it will be a better tourism traffic opportunity than Shanghai.â€
Ian Jarrett
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