Last week has been dubbed one of the most “significant weeks” for the Australian aviation and hospitality industries, with new air services injecting “confidence” back into the accommodation industry.

Major changes to the aviation landscape last week included: Qantas’ return to the Gold Coast and increased capacity to Tasmania, China Eastern commencing flights between Shanghai and Cairns, and Tiger Airways resuming services to Adelaide.

Highlighting the relationship between aviation and hospitality, Accommodation Association of Australia (AAA) chief executive Richard Munro said the additional and expanded airlift was an “essential element” for business and investment growth.

“The extra flights to Tasmania further vindicates the work our industry has done in the past 12 months to raise the issue of air access to Hobart and Launceston,” Mr Munro said.

“As for the new international services, these have the potential to reinvigorate the Adelaide and Cairns accommodation markets.

“By having major international carriers of this calibre conducting regular flights to these destinations, it will almost certainly be a catalyst for reinvestment in existing accommodation businesses as well as the establishment of new ones to cope with increased demand.”