WA gears up to host major tourism trade show

WA gears up to host major tourism trade show

Western Australia is getting ready to roll-out the welcome mat, as some of the most influential people in the international tourism industry head to Perth for the Australian Tourism Exchange 2019 (ATE19).

ATE is Australia’s largest annual travel and tourism business-to-business event, attracting about 600 international and domestic buyers and 70 media representatives from more than 30 countries, as well as 1,400 sellers from more than 550 companies.

The four-day event, co-hosted by Tourism WA and Tourism Australia, is an opportunity for Australian tourism providers to showcase their products and negotiate deals with organisations who sell Australian tourism product internationally.

Special signs in different languages, as well as images of WA’s stunning tourism destinations, have been installed at Perth Airport to welcome delegates flying in to Perth. Delegates will also have the opportunity to capture the perfect ‘quokka selfie’ at a specially installed station at the Virgin Australia arrivals concourse.

To mark the opening of the event, landmark Perth buildings – Optus Stadium, the Bell Tower and Perth Concert Hall – will be transformed at night-time with special blue lighting in a tribute to Perth’s beautiful blue skies.

Flag banners featuring iconic WA images will also line the city streets for the duration of ATE, which is expected to deliver about $9 million to the WA economy and provide a significant ongoing economic benefit to the State.

WA will have the highest number of sellers at ATE in 10 years, with 80 tourism operators taking part. Adventure, wildlife and culinary tourism operators and accommodation providers ranging from high-end hotels to campgrounds will all be represented, including a record number of WA Aboriginal tourism sellers.

Western Australia’s tourism product will also be experienced firsthand by buyers and media through an extensive familiarisation program of 96 tours to destinations including Kununurra, Albany, Exmouth, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Margaret River, Perth city and Rottnest Island.

Source: Tourism WA