Tiger flies to Melbourne again

Tiger Air resumes Melbourne flights.

CAPRICORN Tourism is to launch its biggest and most focused marketing campaign yet after Tiger Airways yesterday recommenced a direct service between Rockhampton and Melbourne.

Freezing Victorians will be told there’s no need for them to sit huddled around a fire for warmth when for less than $60 they can be soaking up the sun in the tropics.

Tourism chief Mary Carroll was talking up the revived service yesterday as a major boost to the region’s tourism industry.

“Whether travellers are locals, friends and relatives or first time visitors to our destination, this growth augers well for a bright future for the Central Queensland economy,” she said.

“Victoria is a critical market for us and the Tiger service offers people there an affordable way to get here in less than two hours.”

Tiger, which also operates services between Rockhampton and Brisbane, offers low-cost flights to Melbourne from Rocky on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and Capricorn Tourism says that gives it the perfect opportunity to market long-weekends and short fly-drive holidays to Central Queensland.

The organisation is funding a campaign that will hit eight radio stations and two television networks in regional Victoria from next month.

Ms Carroll said: “It’s still pretty cold in Victoria and the campaign will be focusing on a cheap way to escape to the sun.”

But she’s also warned CQ residents that if they want direct flights to Melbourne to remain on the schedule they will have to support it.

Tiger scrapped the service earlier in the year because it wasn’t generating enough business.

The airline’s managing director Crawford Rix said: “We are always listening to what our customers are saying and responding to demand for services. That’s exactly why we have brought back this popular route.”

Until November 10 the Rocky flights will connect with Tullamarine Airport but after that they will land at Avalon, which is closer to Melbourne city centre.