The Chinese carrier's three-times-a-week service starts next month.
Guangzhou is the third-largest city in China, home to about 12 million citizens. It boasts the second-largest airport in China with 37 million passenger movements in 2009 (by comparison, Auckland Airport had 13 million).
China Southern is China's largest airline, with 54 international offices and 13 branches throughout China.
Queenstown Airport Corporation chief executive Steve Sanderson and Real Journeys chief executive Dave Hawkey represented the Lakes District in China, as guests of the airline.
Speaking to the Otago Daily Times yesterday, Mr Sanderson said a "large delegation" from New Zealand attended the launch, including Auckland International Airport Ltd chief executive Simon Moutter and business development general manager Glenn Wedlock, New Zealand Tourism chief executive Kevin Bowler, representatives from SkyCity Casino and the New Zealand Consulate.
The visit was mainly to sign the deal between Auckland and China Southern for the flights, which would add 88,000 in seat capacity a year to Auckland.
Mr Sanderson said it was unknown what percentage of those visitors would then connect to Queenstown, but advertising campaigns which featured the area prominently combined with tour operators providing itineraries should have a huge impact.
"The impressive thing is the commitment that China Southern have - [it's spending] $10 million promoting New Zealand to China."
The promotion included a full-page advertisement on the inside cover of China Southern's inflight magazine, showcasing Queenstown, with another magazine featuring a full-page picture and full-page editorial on New Zealand and Queenstown, something Mr Sanderson credited to the Queenstown and Auckland airports alliance.
The launch was covered by China TV - the equivalent of TVNZ and on CTV2 as the lead story for the evening news.
"Just by their advertising and promotions they pick up the iconic, classic photograph of New Zealand and focus around Central Otago, Queenstown and Milford.
"Wholesalers will definitely be putting packages [together] bringing them down, to the benefit of the two domestic carriers, which are Jetstar and Air New Zealand."
While there had been some cancellations from tour groups as a result of the Christchurch earthquake, Mr Sanderson said one of the purposes for the New Zealand delegation in China was to "make sure people understand New Zealand is open".
"That's the best thing we can do to support Christchurch - if the economy is strong we can help rebuild Christchurch."
China Southern had also donated $100,000 to the Christchurch earthquake appeal.
