The airline said yesterday that it would add an additional Auckland to Shanghai service and an additional Auckland to Beijing service. The Auckland to Shanghai service will operate from 11 December 2011 until 18 March 2012 and the Auckland to Beijing service will commence 06 December 2010 and continue indefinitely.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler says the additional services will help deliver record numbers of visitors from China to New Zealand.

China is New Zealand's fourth largest tourism market and one of the fastest growing. Tourism from China is forecast to continue growing by an average of 8.4% per annum between now and 2016. 122,000 Chinese visited New Zealand in 2010, up 20% on the previous year. Collectively Chinese visitors to New Zealand spent $382 million in the year to September 2010.

"Attracting visitors from China is vital to New Zealand's tourism growth over the coming years," Mr Bowler said.

"Tourism New Zealand is committed to developing further opportunities in China and the wider Asian region. I'm confident that there is significant potential for us to attract longer staying and more valuable visitors from China."

Air New Zealand currently flies to Shanghai three times a week and to Beijing twice a week. The new Sunday Shanghai service and Tuesday Beijing service mean the airline will be offering daily direct services to China.

Air New Zealand Deputy CEO Norm Thompson said the China market has enormous potential for us as an airline, and for the New Zealand tourism industry as a whole.

"New figures from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show China is the fastest growing market in the world for international passenger traffic and it's important that we're well positioned to respond. Offering a daily direct service is an important step."

The number of Chinese travellers visiting New Zealand may also be boosted by a multi-year agreement between Air New Zealand and Auckland International Airport Ld that is designed to increase sales of New Zealand holidays in the Chinese market.

Auckland Airport chief executive Simon Moutter welcomed the increase in services.

"This expansion in services and joint marketing initiative offers a fantastic opportunity to work with Air New Zealand on the next phase of market development."