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The Gold Coast will play host to Australia’s largest annual tourism trade show – the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) in 2016.

The economic benefits of hosting ATE are significant and the Gold Coast economy can expect an immediate $10 million uplift during the five days of the event.

Australia’s annual business-to-business tourism and travel trade event, ATE brings together around 600 travel wholesalers and agents from more than 30 countries to meet and do business with 1,500 Australian tourism seller delegates from 500 companies.

The announcement was made by Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan at an industry briefing on the Gold Coast hosted by Tourism and Events Queensland.

O’Sullivan backed the event returning to a key non capital city destination after the overwhelming success of the ATE14 event in Cairns.

O’Sullivan explained “the Gold Coast has undergone something of a renaissance in recent years, with sizeable investments in tourism infrastructure and international aviation access giving the region a renewed sense of confidence ahead of hosting of the Commonwealth Games in 2018.

“With its iconic beaches, stunning hinterland and fun theme parks, the Gold Coast will provide a spectacular setting for Australia’s tourism industry to showcase their products directly to tourism wholesalers and retailers from around the world.

“The timing of an ATE event on the Gold Coast is particularly appropriate, with 2016 seeing much more emphasis being placed by Tourism Australia upon the international marketing of the country’s aquatic and coastal tourism experiences,” he said.

Queensland Minister for Tourism and Major Events Kate Jones said the Gold Coast was primed and ready to host ATE16 for the first time.

Minister Jones stated “the Australian Tourism Exchange is the largest tourism trade show on the industry’s calendar and will connect Queensland tourism businesses directly with 600 international travel buyers who sell Australian holidays in more than 30 countries.

“I welcome the boost this event will provide to Queensland tourism because it means more visitors and more jobs for Queenslanders for years to come.”

“Delegates would have the opportunity to explore other Queensland destinations spreading the benefits of the Australian Tourism Exchange around the state.”

Further details, including the dates for the 2016 Australian Tourism Exchange, will be announced in the coming months.

This year’s Australian Tourism Exchange, ATE15, takes place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre between 21st and 25th June.

1st May 2015 - ATE 2014 LEGACY BOOSTS CAIRNS TOURISM

10th May 2014 - CAIRNS ATE SETS BENCHMARK FOR COLLABORATION

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