No Images? Click here AUSTRALIAN TOURISM EXCHANGE KICKS OFF IN SYDNEYMore than 700 international travel buyers from over 30 countries have converged at the ICC Sydney today for the 2017 Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) with the chance to see Australia’s best tourism offerings. Organised by Tourism Australia in partnership with Destination NSW, ATE brings together Australian tourism businesses and tourism wholesalers and retailers from around the world through a combination of scheduled business appointments and networking events. Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said the five-day event will generate an immediate injection of $10 million into the NSW economy. “ATE will not only help to build future tourism opportunities for NSW, but will shine a global spotlight on Australia’s premier tourism and events destination. “ATE will provide an important platform for NSW tourism operators to strengthen relationships with domestic and international travel buyers, and I wish everyone a successful few days and encourage delegates to spend some time this week exploring the array of Sydney and regional NSW products on offer at ATE17,” Ms Chipchase said. DESTINATION NSW WELCOMES ATE17 DELEGATESThe NSW area will be a hive of activity this week as Destination NSW delivers a warm welcome to ATE delegates. Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said, “Delegates visiting the Destination NSW booth at ATE will find a wealth of information about new products, our packed calendar of events and festivals, Aboriginal and cultural experiences, world-class food and wine, shopping, the great outdoors and much more.” “Delegates can get set for their busy day with a freshly baked breakfast from the friendly NSW café where NSW operators will be tempting tastebuds with delicious flavours from around the State. There will also be daily morning and afternoon teas hosted by NSW businesses, and a Happy Hour event on Wednesday with a celebrity guest performance.” The team from Destination NSW’s international offices have also flown in to support the NSW contingent. To learn more about travel distribution channels in international markets, delegates can drop by the Destination NSW stand at ATE and say hello to our international directors and managers. NSW ON SHOW TO INTERNATIONAL MEDIASydney and NSW were showcased to more than 90 media over the weekend at the ATE Media Marketplace. Journalists hailed from all corners of the globe with Destination NSW’s priority markets of China, the US, UK, Japan, India, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia well represented. Journalists met with Destination NSW representatives and tour operators to gain information about Sydney and NSW’s amazing attractions, which they will showcase through print, online and broadcast media promoting travel to NSW. A highlight of the ATE media program was the welcome event at The Calyx at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, which showcased NSW food, wine and craft beverages. Attendees were also treated to a performance by Sony recording artists Jess + Matt, who serenaded media with their hit song, Sydney to Me. Prior to and following ATE, domestic and international media will also travel to regional NSW with 43 journalists attending familiarisations across the State. Media will spend up to a week in NSW exploring the sights and meeting operators, including in Sydney and surrounds. RECORD YEAR FOR EXPORT READY TOURISM BUSINESSESDestination NSW today announced 34 new regional tourism products across the State are now ‘export ready’, which is more than double the number achieved in the same period last year. Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said the record result is the highest number of regional NSW businesses to become export ready in a year, and sets up the regional NSW visitor economy for even stronger growth. “With so many businesses now ready to work with the international travel trade, it means increased numbers of international visitors will be drawn to our great State, opting for more varied itineraries that will see them explore beyond the fringes of Sydney, and venture into our stunning regions,” Ms Chipchase said. The unspoilt South Coast of NSW saw 15 tourism businesses become export ready this year – more than any other region. “This is a fabulous achievement for the South Coast, and shows the four export ready workshops Destination NSW ran in the region last year, have well and truly paid off,” Ms Chipchase said. For the full list of new NSW products and ATE sellers, download the ATE17 fact sheets. NEW DESTINATION NSW INDUSTRY PROSPECTUSNSW tourism businesses can find out how to partner with Destination NSW to promote their product, service or event in the new industry prospectus. Launched this week, the Partner Opportunities with Destination NSW Prospectus 2017/18 outlines the many ways in which industry can work with the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, and access the services and support on offer. The opportunities range from trade familiarisation programs and digital marketing activities to publicity and event development. The new Prospectus also includes information on the upcoming Destination NSW international roadshows (previously referred to as trade missions). To view the prospectus, visit the Destination NSW website or grab a copy at our ATE stand. GET UP AND ACTIVE WITH FUN & FITNESS PROGRAMWith so much to see and experience in Sydney, the ATE Buyers’ Fun & Fitness Program provides delegates with the opportunity to take in the city’s sights and sounds whilst enjoying a hard-earned break from their busy schedules. There are eight experiences to choose from, including surfing and morning yoga sessions at Bondi Beach (Let’s Go Surfing); guided tours of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, walking tours of downtown Sydney (Two Feet and A Heatbeat); Aboriginal cultural tours of The Rocks (Dreamtime Southern X) and morning runs at Barangaroo Reserve; seeing a brand new operetta Two Weddings, One Bride with Opera Australia; and meeting unique Australian animals at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and Taronga Zoo Sydney, where you can also have fun on the Wild Ropes course. Exclusive to ATE buyers, the free activities are a great way to experience fun and fitness in Sydney! To find out how to participate, download the full program brochure or visit the Destination NSW stand at ATE and speak to a team member. |