China Southern Airlines carries Australia's Miss World entrant to 2003 pageant in China

Miss Australia, Olivia Stratton, departed Sydney today with China Southern Airlines, bound for the Chinese resort of Sanya, on Hainan Island, the host venue for the 2003 Miss World Pageant.

Ms Stratton, an advertising sales executive from Adelaide, flew to Guangzhou (formerly Canton), and will later fly on to several engagements throughout China in the build-up to the final on 6 December in the purpose built Miss World Theatre, which will accommodate up to 7,000 guests.

Ms Annie Ye, China Southern’s General Manager Australia, said the Miss World pageant would generate significant worldwide exposure for Sanya Resort, on the southern tip of Hainan Island, and continue to raise awareness of Southern China as a holiday destination.

“Sanya is an oceanic tropical destination with clear blue water, palm-fringed beaches and an average annual temperature of 25 degrees,” said Ms Ye. “The resort is working to build its profile within and beyond the Asia-Pacific region, and the Miss World event will play an important part in doing so.

“China Southern Airlines is the largest and most progressive carrier in China,” said Ms Ye. “Our base is Guangzhou, the gateway to Southern China, and we believe this event will play a major role in raising international awareness of this vast region as a major new tourist destination.

“Entry to Southern China will be even easier from late 2004 when Guangzhou’s new international airport will be completed, streamlining passenger movement and providing a brand new hub for flights within China.”

China Southern Airlines currently flies three times weekly from Australia to China – twice on the Melbourne – Sydney – Guangzhou route and once on the Sydney – Guangzhou route. It will add a fourth flight between December and February to meet peak season demand, and is planning to gradually expand its Australian operations to daily services to meet projected strong growth in tourist and commercial traffic between the two markets.