The Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) has today welcomed news Qantas will launch services to San Francisco from December 2015 as part of an extended partnership with American Airlines.

The partnership will also see American Airlines commence daily services from Los Angeles to Sydney.

“This addition boosts total services between Australia and mainland North America to 45 per week and is great news for the Australian tourism industry,” TTF CEO Margy Osmond said today.

“This arrangement will increase capacity and improve access to one of Australia’s biggest trading partners and inbound visitor markets.

“The USA is a key source of visitors for Australia. In 2013 alone more than half a million American visitors came to Australia, spending a total of $2.6 billion during their stay.

“On average, holidaymakers from the US spend $4,942 and stay 17.9 nights per visit to Australia.

“This arrangement will boost Australia’s profile as a destination, as the deal represents the first time American Airlines – the world’s largest airline – will fly from Los Angeles to Sydney.

“Together with Qantas’ introduction of return flights to Dallas/Fort Worth last year, the new services to San Francisco will make Australia more accessible to more people.

“The new flights to San Francisco will also increase business links between Australia and the key economic precinct of Silicon Valley.

“Attracting more arrivals from key source markets like the US will help our local tourism industry fulfil its potential and deliver jobs, income and future prosperity for Australia,” she said.