New flights to aid S. Australia

Vinod Advani, Tourism Trade Ambassador, South Australia, says the new flight connections to Adelaide via China Southern Airlines would boost tourist numbers.

TT BUREAU

Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is the gateway to one of the most sought after attractions in the region — Kangaroo Island. Vinod Advani, Tourism Trade Ambassador, South Australia, said, “We have been promoting Kangaroo Island for quite a few years in India. It is Australia’s most exclusive island and is seven times the size of Singapore. It is the only wildlife place where everything is out in the open and none of the animals are controlled by fences.”

He further talked about Adelaide, saying, “Adelaide is where Sir Don Bradman, the famous cricketer, lived the last 40 years of his life, and there is a museum dedicated to him in the Adelaide Oval cricket ground. The architecture of Adelaide is very different from rest of Australia. Apart from Kangaroo Island and Adelaide, there is also the wine growing region of Barossa, which is considered to be the world’s most famous Shiraz wine grape region.” Advani claimed that they are using various methods to promote the destination including media, travel agencies as well as digital marketing. They also have a PR company. He further said that the launch of the new flight by China Southern Airlines from Guangzhou to Adelaide is going to boost numbers from India to South Australia as well. “China Southern Airlines’ new route between Delhi-Guangzhou and then Guangzhou-Adelaide has opened up yet another way to come and visit Adelaide and Kangaroo Island,” said Advani.

According to him, Australia would see a huge surgein incoming tourists from around the world. “There is a definite shift, starting this year, of people from going to Europe and moving towards destinations like Australia. In fact, I believe 2017 will be a milestone year for Indians who’ve always been excited about going to Australia and in turn to Kangaroo Island.”

Talking of agents, he said, “Travel agents play a very important role because they provide the right knowledge to customers. While people in India are getting informed about many destinations through technology, it’s the travel agents who open the door to the world for them.”