TOURISM TRADE SHOW $10M BOOST FOR BRISBANE

The Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) next year would generate a $10 million direct benefit and hundreds of millions of dollars in on-going tourism business for Queensland, Tourism Minister Margaret Keech predicted today.

Mrs Keech said ATE is the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest travel trade event and the fourth largest of its kind in the world.

“It is a great boost for Brisbane to be hosting ATE (May 26-June 1, 2007) at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre,” she said.

“The Beattie Government ahs invested $1.5 million towards staging the event. With more than $10 million being contributed to the state’s economy, and massive ongoing tourism business, this is an excellent return on the investment.

“This will be an exceptional week of business and industry events, with more than 2000 national and international buyers and sellers expected to attend.”

Mrs Keech said ATE provided Australian tourism with an unmatched opportunity to showcase product.

“It is always a popular event with the industry and product buyers, and Queensland is regularly the star attraction,” she said.

“This year will be no exception and the Queensland industry is supporting the event with gusto. Once again, we will be the best represented state at ATE.”

Mrs Keech said the benefits of ATE would be spread across the state.

“A wide variety of industry operators will benefit from the event being stages in Brisbane, from accommodation houses and restaurants to transport providers, entertainment attractions, retailers and general tourism operators,” she said.

“Many delegates will participate in familiarisation tours organised by Tourism Queensland throughout the state before and after the event.

“This will ensure that when the world’s top travel agents and buyers return home, they will be inspired to further promote and market Queensland as a destination of choice.”

Media contacts: David Smith 3225 1005 / 0409 496 534 or Louise Yates (Tourism Queensland) 3535 5349