CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

The “Year of the Rat” and Chinese New Year celebrations were warmly welcomed in Cairns with the arrival of the historic first charter flight to the city by China Southern Airlines.

The Quicksilver Group worked closely with GZL International Travel Services, a major Chinese travel company, and other Chinese travel companies, to secure charter flights over this period. Anthony Teng, Quicksilver Asian Sales Manager participated in the initial meeting between GZL and China Southern Airlines, advising on the growth and experiences for Chinese traveller in Cairns.

These direct charters brought around 1200 visitors to Cairns, many of whom took the opportunity to experience the Great Barrier Reef aboard Great Adventures outer reef and Green Island cruises.

Celebrating the inaugural charters and Chinese New Year, the Quicksilver Group was pleased to welcome Mr James Liu, General Manager China Southern Airlines Sydney and Mr Hong Zheng CEO of GZL to an official dinner, including the Hon Desley Boyle, Queensland Tourism and Regional Development Minister.

In January 2007, the Quicksilver Group, in conjunction with GZL, opened the first Great Barrier Reef branded retail shop in the southern China province of Guangzhou. Since then, a further five retail travel shops have been branded in China. With the opening of the Great Barrier Reef shop, GZL have concentrated on promoting more sophisticated Great Barrier Reef and Cairns touring programs which have resulted in these successful charters.