Hamilton & Waikato Tourism welcomes Regional Tourism Boost funding

Hamilton & Waikato Tourism (HWT) welcomes the Regional Tourism Boost funding announced today by Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston, which will support the delivery of its One Flight campaign targeting the Australian market.

The $459,000 investment will accelerate HWT’s efforts to encourage Australians to fly Jetstar directly into Hamilton, strengthening the region’s role as an international gateway to the Central and Western North Island regions.

Jetstar flights have been arriving daily at Hamilton Airport since June last year from Sydney and Gold Coast. The One Flight campaign will encourage Australian visitors not only to explore the mighty Waikato, but to travel onward to neighbouring regions including Taranaki, Ruapehu and Taupō.

Flying directly into Hamilton places visitors closer to their holiday experiences from the moment they land. With a seamless and stress-free arrival process at Hamilton Airport, visitors can move quickly from international arrival to on-the-ground experiences, with travel times to destinations such as Raglan as short as 65 minutes from touchdown.

The funding will enable targeted consumer marketing through social media and Jetstar’s own digital platforms, promoting direct flight routes and itineraries across the regions. Hospitality experiences will be showcased through a newly developed Regional Food Guide and a collaborative initiative with First Table.

Hamilton & Waikato Tourism supports the breadth of activity being delivered through the Regional Tourism Boost fund nationwide. The One Flight campaign is the only initiative focused specifically on leveraging Hamilton Airport as an international gateway, encouraging regional dispersal and maximising the value of this new direct air connection.

A range of itineraries will be developed to appeal to target Australian audiences, supporting travel into partner regions and reinforcing the Central and Western North Island as a connected, high-quality visitor experience.