NT confident of capacity demand

The announcement of Jetstar’s new link between Darwin and Osaka via Singapore is proof the Northern Territory capital is growing as an international aviation hub, according to the state tourism body.

Tourism NT acting chief executive Angela Collard told Travel Today the connection was “welcome news” for both business and leisure travellers and had been long in the making.

“Jetstar’s announcement follows months of talks in which Tourism NT has been arguing for better connections from Japan, especially following the launch of Jetstar Japan domestic operations,” she said.

Collard was confident there was demand for the capacity, with Japan the state’s fourth largest international source market, contributing 28,000 visitors per annum for the three years to June 2011.

“Darwin is growing as a commercial centre with the commencement of a number of major resource projects in 2012, and we need extra flights to support that growth,” she said.

Tourism NT is investing $75,000 in a digital and social media campaign in Japan in association with Jetstar and key travel trade partner HIS to promote the new connections, in addition to showcasing other NT destinations such as Kakadu and Uluru.

“Darwin is a gateway to Asia and to the rest of the Territory. It has been rated by Lonely Planet as one of the world’s top 10 cities to visit in 2012, and the new service is a timely boost for leisure and business tourism,” Collard said.