A group of 250 top Chinese travel agents, big company executives and China Southern Airlines bosses this morning begin a tour of New Zealand that their hosts say will help build on the fast-growing tourist market.
The airline used an Airbus A380 double-decker aircraft, in a one-off move, to bring the group and other scheduled passengers to Auckland last night.
Auckland Airport and other tourist authorities are hosting the group, which will split into three and visit attractions throughout the upper North Island.
The airport's chief executive, Adrian Littlewood, said the delegation's visit was a rare chance to showcase some of New Zealand's best tourist attractions.
"It's hard to underestimate the power of this visit," he said.