Jetstar, Mackay Tourism and the Mackay Port Authority have unveiled a high profile marketing campaign in Sydney to promote the benefits of flying direct and holidaying in the Mackay region.

Following Jetstar's recent first time launch of its new 177 seat Airbus A320 aircraft into Mackay Airport for its direct Sydney-Mackay service, the low fares carrier is working with Mackay Tourism in a major cooperative promotion to encourage Sydneysiders to consider Mackay for their next short getaway or holiday.

Jetstar is providing targeted marketing support towards the "Mackay – More than Meets the Eye" campaign, developed by Mackay Tourism and also promoted at www.mackayholidays.com.au

Jetstar’s latest push to promote Mackay as a breathtaking holiday getaway represents the next stage in Jetstar’s strong working relationship with Mackay Tourism and the Mackay Port Authority to directly market the region’s existing and future tourism potential.

Jetstar and Mackay Tourism have ramped up its latest joint campaign in Sydney over the weekend.

Increasing market awareness and the convenience flying direct on Jetstar from Sydney to Mackay is a further feature of the campaign, through print and electronic promotion across New South Wales.

Jetstar currently flies direct between Sydney and Mackay 4 times per week, and will continue with a 3 times weekly service from 30 October under its newly published schedule for the Christmas/New Year and summer school holiday period.

Fares on Jetstar’s Sydney-Mackay direct services now start from $99 one way available at www.jetstar.com

Jetstar Chief Executive Alan Joyce said the airline’s latest major promotion of Mackay within the nation’s largest retail market reinforced the carrier’s strong commitment to the Mackay region.

Mr Joyce said Jetstar had drawn upon iconic imagery throughout the Mackay region, reinforcing to Sydneysiders that the city fell within an area of ‘breathtaking natural beauty, history and heritage’.

"From the clear blue coastal waters and the pristine island beaches… to the rainforest green of Finch Hatton Gorge, Eungella National Park and Broken River… to the burnt orange of the outback and mining… you can explore, escape, be inspired!", the campaign says.

 "Jetstar is intent on building not only greater awareness and promoting the many appealing attributes of the Mackay region, but to equally promote Mackay Airport as a gateway to Brampton Island, Sarina, Mackay and its 31 nearby beaches," Mr Joyce said.

"To continue to build consumer recognition and appeal of Mackay as a holiday destination in Sydney is all critical to the ongoing development of the Mackay tourism industry.

"Jetstar is the sole airline to operate a direct Sydney to Mackay service and our new flight schedule for the upcoming Christmas/New Year holiday season with our new Airbus A320 aircraft will deliver even more seats per week than previous Boeing 717 flights on the route.

"This alone gives Mackay Tourism the confidence to convert hard won holiday makers who respond to our latest support of the concepts in the ‘Meets the Eye’ campaign."
 
General Manager of Mackay Tourism David Phillips has welcomed the introduction of Jetstar’s A320 fleet onto the developing Sydney-Mackay route, which has coincided with the latest marketing push by the region’s tourism industry to grow visitation from Sydney.

"Our new campaign in the Sydney and broader NSW market is an important step in building greater awareness of, and a desire to visit Mackay and North Queensland," Mr Phillips said.

"I am certain that the attractive low airfares, the direct flight offering from Sydney and the abundance of ground packages for consumers available online, will all help convert browsers into welcome visitors in the months ahead.

"The introduction of the A320 aircraft onto the Sydney-Mackay flight route is very welcome news for the Mackay community and is the vehicle to help us grow the Sydney-Mackay non-stop route. We're excited to have these impressive new aircraft now flying into Mackay, and the increased capacity and comfort they add."

Jetstar will also continue to operate 3 times daily Boeing 717 flights between Mackay and Brisbane, before the route is converted to A320 services during the first half of 2006.

Mr Joyce said this conversion to the A320 represented a further 6 per cent boost in seat capacity by Jetstar for the route under its schedule for the upcoming Christmas/New Year period.

Jetstar’s A320s feature 177 all leather, extra wide seats, a high level of in-flight comfort for customers including the ability to hire video on demand entertainment units and improved freight capability through cargo containers.