QR: CBR trade “critical”

QATAR Airways will lean heavily on the travel trade to develop its newly launched Canberra service, with the carrier’s regional boss saying agents are “absolutely critical” to the route’s success.

Speaking exclusively with Travel Daily this morning in Canberra, Qatar Airways senior manager, Australasia, Adam Radwanski said the new Doha-Canberra route (via Sydney) would take time to get traction in the marketplace.

Overseas pax numbers on today’s QR flight into Canberra this morning were minimal, with TD observing not more than a few dozen pax seated in the Economy class of the Boeing 777-300ER.

The return flight to Sydney had 15 passengers in Economy class.

Questioned if Qatar Airways was worried about the lack of paying passengers on the new Canberra tag on-service ex SYD, Radwanski said “we are not concerned”.

“When you set up a new long- haul destination it takes a little bit of time to establish the market.

“Hence we are working with the tourist boards and local govt to create that market, to encourage visitors to explore Canberra, and to inspire the trade community outside Australia to design multi- city itineraries that include the Australian capital,” he said.

“That obviously cannot be achieved overnight.”

Radwanski said he believed the CBR launch had been “very good”.

Travel agents are paramount to marketing the outbound route, with multiple famils of 20+ front- line sellers being held exclusively for Canberra-based consultants.

“Trade for us here in Australia... is absolutely critical and integral to our strategy,” Radwanski said.

“Our engagement is exemplary and our relationships strong.

“I think we’ll be very well placed to make Canberra successful in the coming months,” he added.