Mayor urges local business to capitalise on Singapore Airlines flights out of Canberra

Eurobodalla Mayor Lindsay Brown has welcomed news that Singapore Airlines will start operating from Canberra to Wellington and Singapore four times a week.

The new ‘Capital Express’ route is expected to be operating from September with tickets on sale from late January.

Clr Brown, who is also chair of Council’s tourism and business advisory committees, says he hopes to see local businesses embracing the growth prospects ahead.

“Council has been expecting this announcement for some time and already we have plans underway to make the most of both inbound tourism and export opportunities,” he said.

“Our existing partnerships will underpin how we take this forward, and in the next few months our tourism and business development staff will continue to work closely with the Canberra Region Joint Organisation of Councils, ACT Tourism, Destination NSW, Tourism Australia, Canberra Airport, Bega Valley Shire Council and Sapphire Coast Tourism.

“There will be information and support for local businesses that want to grow from this opportunity and I encourage interested business people to attend the two tourism and business workshops taking place in Batemans Bay next month.

“Businesses specifically interested in exporting via this new route from Canberra can also contact Sarah Cooper, Council’s industry support manager.”

The first workshop in Batemans Bay next month is about doing business with China and will take place on Tuesday 9 February. Hosted by the NSW Business Chamber, the workshop targets businesses in food and beverage, wine, wool, textiles and high end fashion, agribusiness, baby, maternity, cosmetics, tourism, education and aged care. More at www.events.nswbc.com.au

Later in the month, the NSW Government’s tourism agency Destination NSW is hosting an inbound strategy workshop on Thursday 25 February for tourism businesses who already have an understanding of international markets and distribution. The workshop will present practical strategies to take the final steps into export readiness and selling product internationally. More at www.destinationnsw.com.au