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Press Release
Taking Tasmania to the World
14 June 2008
Tasmania’s tourism regions and experiences will be promoted to the world’s major buyers at Australia’s premier tourism trade event, the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), in Perth, Western Australia, commencing today.
The Minister for Economic Development and Tourism, Paula Wriedt, said ATE is the largest international travel trade show in the southern hemisphere, bringing together Australian tourism businesses, airlines, tourism wholesalers and retailers from around the world.
“Tourism Tasmania and participating Tasmanian tourism operators have been working together for months to ensure the State’s tourism experiences stand out from the thousands on offer at ATE,” Ms Wriedt said.
“We are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the way we market Tasmania to international buyers.
“A number of operators have grouped together this year to collectively market their products and experiences as a complete regional package.
“The operators from Tasmania’s Far South and Circular Head Tourism Association know that there is strength in numbers and that many international buyers are looking for a combination of regional experiences and offerings to sell to their clients,” Ms Wriedt said.
Each year, ATE is held in two modules: the eastern module runs from 14-16 June and is attended by tourism buyers from Japan, Asia and the Gulf Countries. The western module runs from 17-20 June and includes buyers from UK, Europe, the Americas, Africa, NZ and the South Pacific.
10 Tasmanian operators will take part in the eastern module and 25 will be participating in the western module.
Ms Wriedt said the Tasmanian operators – known as Team Tasmania – will be joined by Tourism Tasmania Chief Executive, Felicia Mariani, Department of Economic Development and Tourism Secretary, Norm McIlfatrick, and Tourism Tasmania representatives.
“The Tasmanian delegation will be amongst 1700 Australian delegates from 630 companies, competing for the attention of around 600 international buyers from 40 countries.
“There will also be about 60 international trade and domestic journalists at ATE, reporting on what is new in the Australian travel and tourism industry to millions of people worldwide.
“Tasmania is once again going paper-free at ATE, with its innovative USB media and information kits making a repeat appearance.”
Ms Wriedt said Tasmania was the talk of ATE last year with its discovertasmania.com-branded USB wristbands, which made life easier, and suitcases lighter, for ATE delegates.