Australian Tourism Exchange kicks off in Gold Coast

By Zach Havard

Gold Coast is hosting this year’s Australian Tourism Exchange this week.

More than 2,300 delegates from Australia and 30 international markets have made the beach city their home for a week.

Tourism Australia put everything into this event, hoping those in attendance will have an experience just as golden as the region’s name suggests.

The Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) is the Australian tourism industry’s largest annual business-to- business event.

The Gold Coast event was held in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland and supported by Destination Gold Coast.

The event will be held over five days from 30 April to 4 May 2023.

Speaking on day one of the event, Stirling Hinchcliffe, Queensland’s Minister for tourism, innovations and sport – as well as the Minister Assisting Premier of Olympics and Paralympics and engagement.

He said the team working on the Olympic project, known as Vision 2032, is forecasting a little more than $8 billion in benefits in Queensland including some $4.6 billion in tourism and trade and 3.5 billion in social benefits, creating some 91,000 full time jobs per year on the side.

“This is Queensland’s year for transformation as the inclusive destination of choice for all visitors, visitors of all abilities.

“A $12 million package is fast tracking new accessible infrastructure, technology and industry knowledge about the needs of travellers of all abilities.

“So it’s really the case that we’re leaning into this because we think Queensland’s great lifestyle is too good not to be enjoyed by everyone. But it’s also part of our commitment to making Brisbane 2030 to the pinnacle global event for elite athletes and spectators living with a disability.

More than 576 seller organisations are attending ATE23, including 53 who are participating for the first time.

624 international buyer delegates representing 564 organisations from 32 countries are attending ATE23.

Of the 564 organisations confirmed to attend, 54 are participating for the first time.

82 exhibitor organisations confirmed for in the ATE23 Media Program.
83 international and domestic media are participating in the ATE23 Media Program.

As ATE23 returns to a traditional format over 4 days, there will be 81 business appointments, including 12 free appointments.

The Aviation Program will run from 1 to 2 May and will include an exhibition space for meetings with airports and a lounge area for networking outside the tradeshow floor.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

australian tourism exchange gold coast queensland Stirling Hinchcliffe