Laurence Dollimore
ANDALUCIA is hoping to launch direct flights with China next year following high level meetings between tourism bosses.
President of the southernmost region, Juanma Moreno, met with representatives of the state-owned Air China on Friday.
But a battle is emerging over which airport will receive the direct route between the East Asian nation, with Sevilla to be much more likely.
It comes after the head of the Association of Travel Agencies of Andalucia, Sergio Garcia, insisted Malaga airport ‘operates 24 hours a day’ and is ‘much better connected to the city by train and bus.’
He added: “Here we have many more advantages for an airline like Air China, since we are geographically better positioned, with a similar distance to cities like Seville, Cordoba or Granada.”
However studies show the average Chinese tourist is more interested in seeing culture than heading to the beach.
The latest statistics from 2022 show Sevilla is the most popular destination for Chinese tourists in Andalucia.
Some 14,497 Chinese visited Sevilla in that year, compared to just 7,690 who went to Malaga.
The top destination for travellers from China in Spain is Barcelona, which hosted 80,658 in 2022, followed by Madrid with 65,200, with Sevilla taking the third spot.
Tourism minister for Malaga Francisco Salado told Diario Sur: “This is positive for Andalucia regardless of what Air China decides, although it is true that Malaga airport has advantages due to the 136 direct connections with cities around the world and other factors that position us very well.”
A study by the tourism ministry predicted a direct route between Andalucia and China would see visitor numbers from the country soar by 188% to 50,000, bringing a boost to the industry.
