Western Australia is getting ready to roll-out the welcome mat, as some of the most influential people in the international tourism industry head to Perth for the Australian Tourism Exchange 2019 (ATE19).
ATE is Australia's largest annual travel and tourism business-to-business event, attracting about 600 international and domestic buyers and 70 media representatives from more than 30 countries, as well as 1,400 sellers from more than 550 companies.
The State Government, through Tourism Western Australia, is co-hosting the event with Tourism Australia and has co-ordinated a range of welcome activities to give ATE visitors an exciting and positive first impression of WA.
Special signs in different languages, as well as images of the State's stunning tourism destinations, have been installed at Perth Airport to welcome delegates flying in to Perth.
Delegates will also have the opportunity to capture the perfect 'quokka selfie' at a specially installed station at the Virgin Australia arrivals concourse.
To mark the opening of the event, landmark Perth buildings - Optus Stadium, the Bell Tower and Perth Concert Hall - will be transformed at night-time with special blue lighting in a tribute to Perth's beautiful blue skies.
Flag banners featuring iconic WA images will also line the city streets for the duration of ATE, which is expected to deliver about $9 million to the WA economy and provide a significant ongoing economic benefit to the State.
The four-day event is an opportunity for Australian tourism providers to showcase their products and negotiate deals with organisations who sell Australian tourism product internationally. Some of the top buyers in Tourism WA's key international markets will be represented, including well-known international companies Helloworld, Thomas Cook and Flight Centre.
WA will have the highest number of sellers at ATE in 10 years, with 80 tourism operators taking part. Adventure, wildlife and culinary tourism operators and accommodation providers ranging from high-end hotels to campgrounds will all be represented, including a record number of WA Aboriginal tourism sellers.
Western Australia's tourism product will also be experienced firsthand by buyers and media through an extensive familiarisation program of 96 tours to destinations including Kununurra, Albany, Exmouth, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Margaret River, Perth city and Rottnest Island.
As stated by Tourism Minister Paul Papalia:
"I encourage all Western Australians to give our ATE19 delegates a warm welcome and show them why we are so proud to call this beautiful part of the world home.
"We last hosted ATE in 2012, so this is our chance to show visitors how Perth has transformed to become a world-class tourism destination.
"I'd like to acknowledge the enthusiasm and support we've had from the local tourism industry for this event including the businesses involved in the familiarisation program, the sponsor hotels and the TAFE student volunteers.
"The State Government recently announced an additional $12 million to boost Tourism WA's international marketing. This sends a strong message to the world's top tourism buyers attending ATE that WA is serious about securing their business to grow our visitor numbers."
