Some of the South Island’s best known tourism operators have taken their pitch directly to Western Australia, as Christchurch Airport prepares for a major increase in direct flights across the Tasman.

Kia Ora South, a Christchurch Airport initiative, connects international travel sellers directly with South Island tourism businesses, giving operators the chance to sell their attractions, experiences and regions to the people influencing where Australians holiday.

The Perth campaign comes ahead of new direct services from both Jetstar and Air New Zealand.

Jetstar will launch a three times weekly Perth to Christchurch service from 27 October using Airbus A321 aircraft, while also launching a new four times weekly Sydney service to Christchurch from 26 October.

Air New Zealand will begin its own three times weekly Perth service from 30 November using Boeing 787 9 Dreamliners, with the seasonal route continuing until 7 May.

The new Australian services form part of what Christchurch Airport says will be its biggest international summer yet, with more than 1.27 million international seats available between November and March, 21 percent more than last summer.

The Airport has also just reported its strongest financial result, with underlying operating profit after tax reaching a record $64.9 million for the year to June, up 30.6 percent.

The first Kia Ora South event in Perth brought South Island tourism operators together with travel agents who help determine where Western Australians choose to holiday.

Operators promoted alpine adventures, wildlife experiences, accommodation, food and wine, and some of the South Island’s best known visitor attractions.

CHC Must Do’s marketing manager Julia Hunt said getting direct air services into Christchurch involved competing against destinations around the world.

“We are here because Airport are doing an amazing job. I mean, it’s not easy, it’s a highly competitive environment. Everybody wants the planes,” Hunt said.

Christchurch Attractions chief executive Marty Byrne said increased international arrivals were already having an impact. It’s been well publicised the increase in tourists coming into Christchurch in the last year, and I think we’re only gonna see that increase since opening up a huge gateway in Western Australia,” Byrne said.

Perth Airport vice president of aviation business development Punit Mahal said “Perth and Christchurch in the South Island are critical markets, for both Western Australia and New Zealand.”

Whale Watch Kaikōura sales and innovations manager Abba Kahu used the Perth events to promote an attraction approaching a significant milestone. “These are our waka or our boats. We’re actually celebrating 40 years of Whale Watch, next month, so it’s pretty awesome to be here representing three generations of my family.”

The campaign later moved to the Ritz Carlton Hotel, where Jetstar spoke about its new direct service. Jetstar retail travel sales executive Claire Clarke said having recently visited Christchurch herself gave her an appreciation of the opportunity created by the new route.

“I’ve actually been super lucky to have visited Christchurch very recently, so now I can tell you firsthand how much I love both Perth and Christchurch. So to have the ability to go between them directly is just such a win for us,” Clarke said.

Great Journeys NZ international trade sales manager Christy Martin said  “Kia Ora South is essential for us, to be honest. I mean, we need the investment and we need the motivation to get direct capacity into Christchurch, and Christchurch Airport does that.”