LOS ANGELES, CA – Tourism Australia and Air New Zealand today announced more choices for US customers flying to Australia’s top destinations.

The campaign will be heavily promoted across multiple digital channels through Nov. 15, 2015.

Customers have more choices for the “only in Australia” experiences found on many travelers’ must-see lists, as well the benefits of flying with Air New Zealand, a leader in world-class air travel. For the last two years, Air New Zealand has offered one price fares for up to seven of its Australian gateway cities. This year, Air New Zealand is making it easier than ever to get to Australia by offering one price for all eight destinations it flies to in Australia, including Perth, which the airline increased services to by 30 percent this year.

Air New Zealand allows increased flexibility and greater connectivity via Auckland to eight Australian destinations: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Adelaide, Sunshine Coast, Perth and Coolangatta (The Gold Coast).

Air New Zealand serves five North American gateways, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Vancouver, Canada, and Houston (commencing Dec. 15, 2015).

“Together with Tourism Australia, we hope to inspire travelers to experience the best that Australia has to offer,” said Chris Myers, Air New Zealand Vice President and General Manager of the Americas. “With service to eight popular gateways, Air New Zealand makes it easier than ever to get to Australia, and our Kiwi hospitality and award-winning service help ensure the journey to Australia is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.”

“With its stunning landscapes, can’t miss coastal and beach experiences and exceptional food and wine, Australia tops many people’s ‘must visit’ destinations,” said Jane Whitehead, Tourism Australia’s Vice President, The Americas. “By working with Air New Zealand, we’re showing those people how easy it is to go now with the help of a great fare and easy connections to eight fabulous destinations.”

Tourism Australia has signed a multimillion-dollar deal with New Zealand’s national airline to help bring more tourists to Australia following its split with Qantas.

The $6 million deal with Air New Zealand will see the organisations work together on marketing for the next three years.

Last year, Qantas pulled out of a $44 million dollar partnership with Tourism Australia over a conflict of interest with Tourism Australia chairman Geoff Dixon.

Mr Dixon – a former Qantas CEO – was linked to a consortium seeking enough stake in Australia’s national carrier to change its strategic direction.

Rival airline Virgin Australia quickly jumped into the void with a deal that will see the carrier double its joint marketing to $12 million over the next three years.

Virgin and Air New Zealand also have an alliance on the trans-Tasman route.

Under the new agreement Tourism Australia and Air New Zealand will each put $3 million towards advertising, public relations, events and trade focusing on three of Australia’s biggest and most valuable markets – New Zealand, North America and China.

Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy said together the three markets accounted for more than a third of Australia’s international tourist arrivals each year.

Mr McEvoy said he was keen to work with New Zealand Tourism as well.

“We’re seen as competitors in many ways but about a third of visitors from America will visit both countries,” he said.

“We will compete fiercely when we need to but we will collaborate and work together to get our part of the world better known.”

Mr McEvoy said Tourism Australia was open to working with Qantas again.

“They’re a great global carrier and they do a great job all around the world,” he said.

“We’re able to work with them any time they want to work with us.

“The good news is they’re still spending that money with the state and territory tourism bodies.”

Qantas signed a $30 million deal with the NSW Government to promote Sydney and surrounds earlier this year in the biggest tourism partnership in the state’s history.

It will match Barry O’Farrell’s government dollar for dollar – $15 million each – on advertising and marketing campaigns for three years.

Mr McEvoy said Tourism Australia worked with 17 airlines last year and will work with 24 this year.

He said the new deal gives important access from North America through Air New Zealand’s presence in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver, as well as connections and “feeder traffic” through its alliance with United Airlines, which opens up cities like New York and Chicago.

Air New Zealand also has alliances with Air China and Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific, which Mr McEvoy said gave the opportunity to bring high value, niche travellers to Australia.

Air New Zealand CEO Chris Luxon said 82 million people from China travelled outside the country last year and there was huge potential there.

“It’s a pretty exciting time for the tourism industry,” he said.

“We’re seeing a big shift of power from the Atlantic to the Pacific and Australia is perfectly located to capitalise on that.”

The marketing partnership will be the airline’s biggest outside New Zealand.

Air New Zealand has opened new routes to Australia in recent years, including Auckland to Maroochydore, and the alliance between Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia will see the introduction of a seasonal direct service between Christchurch and Perth later this year.

Around 1.2 million visitors come from New Zealand to Australia last year.