Short Haul

QANTAS says its alliance with Emirates is producing gains for regional centres, with bookings by customers of the Dubai-based airline wanting to travel outside gateway cities tripling.
The airline reports strong inbound sales from the United Arab Emirates, Britain, Singapore, Thailand and Italy, in particular. Qantas executive manager of international sales Stephen Thompson will tell the Australian Tourism Exchange today that the alliance means regional centres are being promoted to a bigger audience than ever before. "We have already seen strong bookings for new codeshare destinations across Australia, including Townsville, Darwin, Launceston, Alice Springs, Devonport, Rockhampton, Broome and the Gold Coast," he will tell the trade show. "As well as making travel within Australia easier . . . the Qantas-Emirates partnership also provides tourism operators with new opportunities to capitalise on the international tourists visiting the country."