Trio's pact lifts Auckland as premier pick for China’s jet-setters

The new alliance between Tataki Auckland Unlimited, Auckland Airport, and China Southern Airlines has the goal of boosting Auckland’s profile as a destination for Chinese business travellers. This collaboration is encapsulated in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that focuses on marketing Auckland to the Chinese business and incentive travel markets. Ken Pereira, head of Auckland Convention Bureau, said: “This is a ground-breaking agreement for Tataki Auckland Unlimited, as it is the first time that the Auckland Convention Bureau has partnered with an international airline to boost Auckland’s profile as a business events destination in the Chinese market.” Pereira noted that Auckland not only had great tourism experiences that attract Chinese visitors, but that the city was also a hub of innovation, home to three universities, and the base for many world-leading international and New Zealand-owned companies.” Echoing the sentiment of strong ties, Guangji Qu, executive vice-president of China Southern Air Holding Company Limited, recalled the initiation of services from Guangzhou to Auckland, marking the airline as the first from mainland China to operate regular passenger flights to Auckland since 2011. Qu said: “Over the past 13 years, China Southern has transported 2.53m passengers between China and New Zealand. With the partnership of Auckland Airport and Tataki Auckland Unlimited, China Southern will continue the commitment to being the ‘air bridge’ between China and New Zealand.”