HOTELIERS are looking forward to clawing back some of the lost business from Japan with the resumption of direct flights between Cairns and western Japan next year.

This week, Jetstar announced the re-introduction of four weekly direct flights between Cairns and Osaka from April 1 following the decision by Qantas to cancel 14 weekly flights to the Asian country a year ago.

Hoteliers say not only do the flights mean more tourists and hotel beds but it is giving confidence back to the industry, which has been hard hit in the past 12 months with flight cancellations, the swine flu and global financial crisis.

Pullman Reef Hotel Casino general manager Adrian Williams said the Accor Group welcomed Jetstar and the Queensland Government’s commitment and aggressive marketing approach to promoting the destination after what had been a "challenging" year.

"As far as we’re concerned, Jetstar’s first new service to Cairns from Osaka in April is the first real sign that the destination may be poised to start a positive new cycle in 2010," he said.

"Cairns tourist operators and hoteliers consider the Osaka service an opportunity to grow Japanese visitation that will hopefully ease the pressure that’s been placed on hotels, restaurants and attractions during the GFC period." Mr Williams said he strongly believed that 2009 would represent the bottom of the current cycle.

"Like many destinations reliant on tourism and corporate travellers, Cairns has been responsive to the difficult GFC period and demonstrated new adaptability and innovation," he said.

"The domestic market, of course, has naturally been a priority over this time but it’s heartening to move forward and expand our strategy on the back of Jetstar’s announcement and additional 300,000 seats that will feed our destination."

Mr Williams said the resumption of flights was "crucial".

"Japanese numbers have been 45 per cent down and from November (last year) to November (this year) the Cairns market yield declined by 12.5 per cent," he said.

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