Saturday, August 24, 2024 The Gold Coast is set to experience a major boost to its tourism industry as Hong Kong Airlines announces the resumption of its flights to the city after a six-year hiatus. This development marks the airline’s first Australian connection since 2018, signifying a vital step forward in the region’s recovery of international travel and tourism. Hong Kong Airlines’ decision to reintroduce flights to the Gold Coast comes at a pivotal time for the region’s tourism sector, which has been working diligently to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new route, scheduled to operate during the peak Chinese New Year travel period from mid-January to mid-February 2025, is expected to draw a significant number of tourists, particularly from the Chinese market, which has historically been a crucial source of visitors for the Gold Coast. Adam Rowe, representing Queensland Airports Limited, highlighted the importance of this reconnection, stating, “China is an incredibly important market for the Gold Coast. Pre-COVID, over 300,000 Chinese passengers traveled through Gold Coast Airport.
” This statistic underscores the significant role that Chinese tourists play in the local economy, making the return of flights from Hong Kong a key development for the region. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese market was one of the most significant contributors to the Gold Coast’s tourism industry. Chinese tourists are known for their high spending.