The best of the Territory’s tourism experiences are on show to around 1,500 industry representatives at the largest annual travel and tourism business-to-business event this week.
The 40th annual Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) is taking place in Perth from April 8-12, and Tourism NT is spreading the word about the Territory’s incredible range of events, places and experiences.
The ATE brings together Australian tourism businesses, wholesalers and retailers from around the world, with delegates from approximately 550 companies, 650 key buyers from more than 30 countries, and 70 international and Australian media.
Northern Territory experiences represented include Bullo River Station, Crocosaurus Cove/Melaleuca on Mitchell/Value Inn, Emu Run Experiences, Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruises, Kakadu Cultural Tours, Maruku Arts, Nitmiluk Tours, Kakadu Tourism, Outback Floatplane Adventures, SEIT Outback Australia, Uluru Camel Tours and Wayoutback Australian Safaris.
For the first time this year, Outback Cycling, Outback Elite and Helifish are also taking part.
ATE 2019 is organised by Tourism Australia in partnership with Tourism Western Australia, and is taking place at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Quotes from Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture Chief Executive, Simonne Shepherd:
“Thanks to the NT Government’s Turbocharging Tourism initiative, our holiday visitor numbers are growing, which is great news for our economy.
“International visitor numbers to the Territory increased 1.9 per cent for the 2018 calendar year compared to 2017, with international visitors spending an estimated $472 million here.
“The Australian Tourism Exchange is another opportunity for Tourism NT to develop and strengthen international visitor markets, which will further contribute to the NT’s ongoing tourism success story.”
Quotes by General Manager Marketing Tourism NT, Tony Quarmby:
“The Northern Territory’s distinctive visitor experiences are front and centre at the Australian Tourism Exchange.
“Twenty-seven Northern Territory-based companies are exhibiting in the NT section, plus additional companies with a footprint in the NT exhibiting in the National section and three NT operators exhibiting at ATE for the first time.
“An International Media Marketplace was held prior to ATE, where Tourism NT representatives met with 22 individual international media outlets, and our international team will run an extensive program of post-ATE familiarisation tours for the media.”
Quotes from Sales and Marketing Manager Kakadu Tourism, James Robinson:
“ATE is the one trade show Kakadu Tourism always attends, as it is such a good opportunity to meet with product managers looking for new products and destinations for their markets.
“This year we have been discussing a low-season tour and new accommodation at Cooinda Lodge Kakadu, and upcoming projects such as a state-of-the-art buffet experience with locally inspired dishes at the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel.
“We are also supporting post-ATE familiarisation tours in conjunction with Tourism NT and Parks Australia, to showcase the rich cultural and wildlife experiences on offer in Kakadu National Park.”
Media Contact: Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture Media Manager 0428 052 647