Moncrieff Media

Tiger Airways roars into the Gold Coast from Adelaide

28 August 2008

Today’s announcement by Tiger Airways to commence a daily service between the Gold Coast and Adelaide will be great for local tourism businesses, Federal Shadow Tourism and Small Business Minister and local MP Steven Ciobo said.

“With one in four people on the Gold Coast employed in the tourism sector, our city relies on inbound tourists, and a daily service from Adelaide will only help our local restaurants, entertainment venues, and hotels fill up,” Mr Ciobo said.

“It is important local tourism businesses are busy all year round, and with international visitor numbers stagnating at the moment, the Gold Coast is relying largely on domestic tourists to fill the gaps.

“It has been a triple whammy for our tourism sector this year, with Labor introducing almost $1 billion of new tourism taxes, the high Aussie dollar and expensive fuel costs all affecting visitor numbers.”

The Tigers Airways Service between the Gold Coast and Adelaide will commence from 1 March 2009 from $79.95 inclusive of taxes and charges.

Mr Ciobo said the announcement is a welcomed addition to the Gold Coast, particularly after the closure of Qantas from Coolangatta.

“Gold Coast Airport certainly is a leader when it comes to low cost carries at family friendly prices, which is great for local tourism and our economy,” he said.

“While the closure of Qantas at Gold Coast Airport this year was unfortunate, it does open up new opportunities for low costs carries like Tiger Airways to make the Gold Coast their home.

“While the Gold Coast was overlooked, in favour of Adelaide, for the second Australian home for Tiger Airways, we welcome the new services between Adelaide with open arms.

“If our city is to continue to be a tourism mecca, then we need to ensure we take up the opportunities when they arise, and continue to market our wonderful playground to the rest of the world.”