Australian tourism operators will spend the next four days connecting with tourism wholesalers and retailers from around the world at the Australian Tourism Exchange 2023 (ATE23), which has officially opened on the Gold Coast.
ATE is the Australian tourism industry's largest annual business-to-business event. It brings together around 2,300 delegates from Australia and 30 countries around the globe to take part in around 38,000 one-on-one business appointments.
ATE23, at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, marks the return to the pre-COVID style of the event for the first time since 2019. The event has taken place in a condensed, hybrid format over the past two years.
Getting back to a full, face-to-face ATE is a boost for the Australian tourism industry as it continues to rebuild from the impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic.
Tourism Research Australia forecasts international visitor expenditure to exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2024 and international visitor arrivals to exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2025.
ATE23, which will help the Australian tourism industry to achieve that recovery, is delivered by Tourism Australia in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland and supported by Destination Gold Coast.
Quotes attributable to Federal Tourism Minister Don Farrell:
"Events like the Australian Tourism Exchange are critical for the tourism industry which is continuing to bounce back from the most challenging three years in its history.
"The long-term benefits from ATE are substantial - the relationships and future business it establishes can grow Australia's tourism industry by billions.
"Tourism is vital for our operators, the hundreds of thousands of Australians working in the industry, and the communities who rely on it.
"We are already seeing international visitors return to our shores, and we hope the business generated at ATE gives the visitor economy another welcome boost."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:
"The eyes of the global tourism trade market will be on the Gold Coast and Queensland this week as we host the Australian Tourism Exchange.
"It's our chance to showcase the best of our state's tourism gems distinct to this part of the world, like the Great Barrier Reef and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe:
"As one of Australia's favourite getaway destinations, the Gold Coast is a natural choice for the nation's biggest tourism trade event.
"ATE brings together hundreds of international wholesale holiday buyers and Australia's tourism industry leaders.
"The benefits will be felt across the State with buyers and overseas travel media taking a comprehensive familiarisation tour of Queensland bucket list destinations.
"ATE23, Queensland's global marketing and the $200 million aviation war chest are part of our Towards Tourism 2032 roadmap for international tourism recovery."
