17 Jun 2011

Hopes new flights will help Hawaii tap into Chinese tourist market

10:42 am on 17 June 2011

Hawaii is on track to achieve its long-sought goal to significantly tap into the lucrative Chinese tourist market.

China Eastern Airlines is planning to initiate a nonstop, twice-weekly service between Shanghai and Honolulu on August 9.

The Honolulu Star Advertiser reports such flights would be the first regularly scheduled service to the islands, from the world's most populous country.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) said Wednesday it has been working with the airline and is awaiting final government and regulatory approval.

It estimates that the new flight will generate up to 60 million US dollars in annual visitor spending and stimulate new growth in the islands.