Increasing travellers underscore Subcontinent growth

Singapore Airlines offers 104 weekly flights to 14 destinations

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Singapore Airlines has experienced a growth in travel between India and New Zealand General Manager New Zealand Simon Turcotte has said.

He said that inbound demand to New Zealand grew by more than 20% year-on-year.

Latest figures released by Statistics New Zealand showed a strong demand for travel between New Zealand and the Indian Subcontinent and that the number of visitors from India rose to 9100 in May 2018, up from 2100 during same month last year.

For the first time, India overtook the United Kingdom to become the fourth-largest source of visitors to New Zealand for the month.

Year on year (May 2018) travel from India increased by more than 20.7% to just over 66,000 visitor arrivals.

Such has been the rate of growth in travel demand from the Indian subcontinent to New Zealand that Tourism New Zealand has decided to expand its annual trade event, Kiwi Link India to three cities this year.

Singapore Airlines network

As one of just three airlines that participate in the annual event, Singapore Airlines will continue work closely with the Indian community to highlight and promote the convenient connections between the two countries, Mr Turcotte said.

“The Indian Subcontinent is a key market for Singapore Airlines. We offer around 104 flights every week to 14-destinations on the Indian Subcontinent from our Singapore hub,” he said.

“A lot of these flights connect seamlessly onto our services to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch providing the most convenient travel options for those wanting to visit New Zealand,” he added.

Tightening bond

Travel from New Zealand to India is also on the up with the Statistics New Zealand figures showing that more than 75,000 Kiwis travelled to the Indian Subcontinent in the year ending May 2018, an increase of 12.1% year-on-year.

Mr Turcotte said that the increasing interest in travel between New Zealand and the Indian Subcontinent was not surprising.

“Both countries have a rich culture, some incredible food and magnificent natural scenery, with an experience for everyone’s taste and budget. With India’s popularity on the rise, we would encourage New Zealanders looking to travel to India over the peak summer period of November through February to book their flights now,” he said.

Customers can book their next trip to India on singaporeair.com or talk to their local travel agent.

Editor’s Note: Singapore Airlines is the Sponsor of the ‘Business Excellence in Innovation’ Category of the Eleventh Annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2018, entries to which, currently open, will close on August 31, 2018. Please visit www.inliba.com for details.

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