Earlier this month, I was given the great fortune of addressing the inaugural Destination Byron Tourism Symposium.

We have a long history in the Ballina-Byron region having carried more than a million passengers in and out of the local airport since our first flight took off in 2005.

While the population around the Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport is relatively small the local tourism scene has made it one of the strongest inbound markets in our Australian network.

As Australia’s largest low fares carrier, we’re proud of the active role we play in growing inbound tourism right across regional Australia.

To this end, I’m always keen to visit regional markets and meet with local tourism stakeholders.

As I learnt at the symposium, the team at Destination Byron is really focused on dispersing travel demand throughout the year.

For them, it’s not about driving further traffic through the peak seasons – it’s about creating compelling reasons for travellers to visit year round.

That’s why you see draw card events such as the Splendour in the Grass Music Festival and Byron Bay Surf Festival running outside of school holiday peaks.

This is a visionary approach and indicates the local industry is keen to act in the interest of sustainable growth over the long term.

Earlier this year, we added an extra 40,000 seats a year on the Ballina-Byron – Melbourne route.

These flights complement our triple daily service from Sydney and provide the local area with a strong platform to generate sustained prosperity.

Based on my experiences at the symposium, I believe the Ballina-Byron tourism industry is in very safe hands.

David Hall
CEO Jetstar Australia and New Zealand