Tasmania Showcased to International Tourism Buyers

13 June 2009

The Minister for Tourism, Michelle O’Byrne, today announced that some of Tasmania’s leading tourism products and experiences will be on show to major international travel buyers at the nation’s top tourism trade event, the Australian Tourism Exchange.

Seventeen Tasmanian tourism businesses will be attending ATE in Melbourne during the coming week, in partnership with Tourism Tasmania.

Ms O’Byrne said Tasmania had a great history of upstaging the larger states at ATE and this year was expected to be no exception.

“We will continue using an innovative and creative approach to marketing our island, to help us stand out amongst the 1700 international delegates attending ATE this year.

“Once again, we will be going paper-free, with the return of the popular USB promotional kits.

“And to further support Tasmania’s clean, green theme, Tourism Tasmania is the major sponsor of the recycling stations at ATE.

“Renowned culinary ambassador and celebrity chef Ian Parmenter will also be our special guest and MC at a Savour Tasmania dinner for key international tourism trade and media partners.

“ATE is the largest international travel trade show in the southern hemisphere, bringing together Australian tourism businesses, airlines, travel wholesalers and retailers from around the world.

“It is a key element of Tourism Tasmania’s international marketing program.”

Each year, ATE is broken into two modules: the eastern module runs from 13-15 June and is attended by tourism buyers from Japan, Asia and the Gulf Countries. The western module runs from 16-19 June and includes buyers from UK, Europe, the Americas, Africa, NZ and the South Pacific.

“Tasmanian businesses will be competing with 630 other Australian tourism companies to capture the attention of around 600 international buyers from 40 countries.
“About 60 international travel media and domestic journalists will also be attending ATE and reporting to millions of people throughout the world on what is new in the Australian travel and tourism industry,” she said.

“The State Government is committed to growing Tasmania’s tourism industry through innovative and targeted marketing campaigns, and ATE is yet another example of how we are taking Tasmania’s tourism message to the world,” Ms O’Byrne said.

Further information: Sam Adams 0488 604 099